Fast Bikes - November 2014 UK PDF

295BHP KAWASAKI NINJA H2R!
WILD NEW 200MPH+ SUPERCHARGED SPORTSBIKE UNVEILED
nov 2014
issue 294
NEW
MODEL
PLUS M W S 1000 RR
2015 B 9BHP AND
19 KILO
ARMY
2015'S LATEST
AND GREATEST
A FOURING! UNVEILED AT
SAV INTERMOT
DREAM
THE LEAN TIM ES W ITH TH E AWESOME NEW

BRING ON OFFERS A2 THRILLS FOR ALL
£5,000 KTM RC 390 TH AT
FREE
34 pag
e PLUS: MIDDLEWEIGHT NAKEDS TESTED, ROMANIACS, UK'S
GUIDE! MOST DANGEROUS ROADS, MOTO MORINI, AND LOADS MORE!
ROAD TESTS
LAUNCH FREE
KTM RC 390 ....................................24 34 pag
e
KTM is after young riders, and in the new RC 390 it
deserves to get stacks of them wanting this racer...
GUIDE!
LAUNCH
Moto Morini Corsaro...................... 30
Just when you thought you’d heard the last of Moto
Morini, they return with a decent line-up of bikes
133
WALES RIDE GUIDE
GROUP TEST
Naked Middle Greats ..................... 36
Activity in this class has reached fever pitch, with
BEST ROADS
both Honda and Ducati weighing in with some very
respectable offerings – the CB650F and Monster IN WALES
821. But will this be enough to take on the current
kings – the Triumph Street Triple and Kawk Z800?
ALL THE BEST ROADS,
CORNERS AND SCENERY
Ducati Monster 821 Honda CB650F
Kawasaki Z800 Triumph Street Triple WALES HAS TO OFFER!
14
FEATURE
LE MANS 24 HOURS
50 THE MOST DANGEROUS
ROADS IN THE UK...
58 THAT BLOKE THERE, HE’S A

ROMANIAC, HE IS! 30 MOTO MORINI IS BACK –
AND AS CRAZY AS EVER
82 ASENSIBLE NUTTERS CHOICE 126 TO ASS(EN) ABOUT

USED CB1000R MAKES A AL HEADS TO HOLLAND
4 november 204 www.fastbikesmag.com
ISSUE 294 NOVEMBER 2014
Contents IT’S THE NEWS

Upfront .............................................. 8
It’s been a massive month of news with some stunning
bikes making some big headlines at the Intermot show.
GEARED UP
Products............................................18
We round up the best POV cameras you can buy, and then
detail the best new and used kit around.
GET IT FIRST
Subscribe .........................................101
Get your dose of sportsbike hedonism posted to you 13
times a year - and get two years for the price of one!
THE KNOWLEDGE
Used Buyer’s Guide ...........................82
The Honda CB1000R is an often overlooked bike...
MASTERCLASS
36
CORE TEST
Riding .............................................. 88
Lean, lean and lean. Guess what this month’s about?
Technical .......................................... 90
Know your bearings, do you? Check this out...
NAKED MIDDLE GREATS Legal .................................................93

ROLLICKING PERFORMANCE FOR REASONABLE MONEY Watch who you let wash your bike. It could cost you loads.
YOUR LIFE ON BIKES

Chatter ............................................. 94
ACE RACE Another month of trials and tribulations in your world!
Le Mans 2014 ....................... 14
Top stories and pics from the iconic race Tracks and Travel ............................. 96
The best places in the world to go to – on road and track.
PEAK FITNESS
OUR LIFE ON BIKES
Highways To Hell ................ 50 Staff Bikes ...................................... 102
The most dangerous roads in Britain
We say hi to our latest reader tester and his Yamaha R6
ULTIMATE TEST Kawasaki ZX-6R Ducati Panigale
Romaniacs .......................... 58 KTM 1290 Super Duke R BMW S 1000 R
The toughest race in the world? Triumph Street Triple R Yamaha MT-09
70 TEN WITH
Ducati Multistrada Suzuki GSX-R750
Japan vs Project Bikes ....................................113

Keith Flint ............................78 Rootsy’s ZX-6R gets some flash touches, but will it fire...
Europe Prodigy front man can’t get enough...
RACE SECTION
JAPAN VS EUROPE
BIKE BATTLE
Pit Pass ............................................114
Some Italian wins a race. Turns out it’s newsworthy!
Race Feature ................................... 120

Leon Camier – 2014’s super-sub reveals all!
COLUMNISTS
A-Force ............................................ 126
Al and the boys head to Assen for some crazy times!
W W W.F
ASTBIK
ESMAG.
COM
Chaz Davies.................129
Picking up a podium is only a good thing.
Steve Parrish.....130
buy fb gear
fastbikesmag.com
november 204 www.fastbikesmag.com 5
WELCOME
Sonic Youth
W
hat a month it’s been. It
started in raucous form with
the launch of the new KTM
RC 390, which proved to be an utter blast.
Jumping off the bike after the first session
20
on track, the assembled pack of hacks were
all giggling like schoolgirls. As one, we all
started talking about our misspent youths,
trying to extract every last mile per hour in
an attempt to usurp our rivals. It’s a brilliant KTM RC 390
bike for the market, and deserves to sell by
the bucketload.
Next up was a day to the Peak District
SCHOOL’S IN!
trying to understand why the area holds the Join us on Facebook:
Join the FB Forum:
accolade of having the most dangerous FastBikesMag.com/ Facebook.com/
roads in Britain. I had to be disciplined FastBikes-Forum FastBikesMagazine
because it was so tempting to ditch the View Fast Bikes video content:
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research and spend the day riding hard in the FastBikesMag.com/ youtube.com/
National Park. It’s a great place to ride. newsstand fastbikesmag
It was then back on a plane to take up an
invitation to ride all of Moto Morini’s range. Get Fast Bikes for Android: Join us on Twitter:
The Italian manufacturer has only just pulled Zinio.com/FastBikes @FastBikesMag
itself out of bankruptcy, but the bikes
themselves are brilliant – a real tonic in a
world ever more suspicious of anything that EDITOR
makes a noise and goes fast. Simon ‘Rootsy’ Roots
Back in Blighty I then spent the next few simon.roots@futurenet.com
days compiling our Wales Ride Guide, which DEPUTY EDITOR
should have fallen out of the bag when you Benjamin ‘BJ’ Kubas Cronin
opened it. What a couple of days that was. benjamin.kubascronin@futurenet.com
We could have spent a week there, taking ROAD TEST EDITOR
brilliant pictures on every corner we wanted, Alastair ‘A-Force’ Fagan
but time dictated that we could only shoot in alastair.fagan@futurenet.com
a couple of places per road. Even so, I think ART EDITOR
Jonny, our snapper, came up trumps. Ian ‘Lloydy’ Lloyd-Edwards
By now I couldn’t avoid the office, but .lloydedwards@futurenet.com
thanks to our relationship with all the big
AD MANAGER
manufacturers we got a sneaky peak of all Charlie ‘The Sheriff’ Oakman
the bikes appearing at the Intermot show. charlie.oakman@futurenet.com
So many doubters have said that
Print 15,381
sportsbikes are dead, but no-one appears to Subscribe Digital 2,245
and get two years of Fast Bikes The ABC combined print and digital publication
have told the likes of Kawasaki, BMW and for the price of one! p101 circulation for January - December 2013 is
Suzuki. The perfect end to a 0844 848 2852
near perfect month – if only I myfavouritemagazines.co.uk
A MEMBER OF THE
AUDIT BUREAU OF
CIRCULATIONS 17,626
hadn’t crashed the 390!
MC20
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FEATURE
WORDS: ROOTSY
NG, YAMAHA, BMW
PICS: SUZUKI RACI
nd ar y Fren ch en durance race saw the final

The lege endurance championship
act of the 20 14 w orld
but
p was still up for grabs,
championshi
in racing did themselves no
here is no finer spectacle Yamaha’s GMT94 team
T
leading
tha
pro
n 56
tag
rid
oni
ers
sts,
cha
all in
rgin
the first of over 800 laps
fro
g off the line for
for the
nt of a baying
(and the odd beer).
favours by fall ing
the Suzuki SERT team
Anthony De lha lle
off
and
on
of
the first lap. This gave
Erw
Vincent Philippe,
an Nigon the
wasn’t over just
French public, high on life advantage, but GMT’s rac e
cial. hour racing, it’s
Yup, Le Mans is pretty spe yet. That’s the bea uty of 24
And this year’s edi tion was no different, ss, and only those left
just so bloody relentle
competition, cla im to a
with big crowds, intense standing afte r 24 hou rs can
er and some top names all vic tory...
decent(ish) weath thoroughly deserved
ent. The world
providing the entertainm
FEATURE
AND THEY’RE OFF...

The traditional start is always a highlight of the race, but
it’s not without its risks. Having travelled just 50 metres, a
bike was already on the deck (you can just see it in the pic)
and then later on in the lap the GMT94 Yamaha was
involved in a three bike drama . Things did get better...
WORLD CHAMPIONS
“That was a very tough race. I was on the ground after
24 seconds and I’m world champion after 24 hours!” said
David Checa of GMT94 (with teammates Kenny Foray and
Mathieu Gines). The team were crowned champions after a
consistent season, although the team failed to win a race.
MOTOGP RINGERS
The Austrian YART squad brought in their MotoGP
dream team of Michael Laverty and Broc Parkes,
accompanied by Sheridan Morais (pictured) and scored a
third in the process. As you can see, the weather wasn’t all
dreamy sunsets and rain played its part in the event.
WINNERS...
Suzuki’s Le Mans-based SERT
team won the event by two laps.
This wasn’t enough for them to
take their fifth consecutive world
championship, however, due to
incidents and accidents through the
season. The strength of the Suzuki
was proved by the GSX-R1000
winning the superstock race, too.
CAMERAS
POV cameras are now big
business. We check 'em out!
It's hard to believe just how fast this
sector has grown in just a few years. All
praise the micro processor! It's a far cry from
strapping a portable VHS video camera to your
mate's bike via ratchet straps. Now there are
such things as remote control via WiFi,
recording clarity that on the right high-
definition screen will make your eyes bleed,
and multiple ways to mount them. Want to
record how your navel reacts when riding a bike
flat out? No problemo, there will be a mount for
that! Here we have gathered many DVRs of all
shapes, sizes and of course budget constraints.
There's something here for everyone!
GARMIN: VIRB ELITE

£219.99 WWW.GARMIN.COM
The Garmin Virb Elite is fast growing a reputation for being a
terrific camera, at a seriously reduced price compared to most of the
competition. It's a 1080p unit (what else?), and has a 1.4" high-resolution colour
display, and a GoPro besting (we think!) 16-megapixel CMOS image processor. One,
two, three - Ooooooo... It's slated to record up to 1080p for up to three hours, and like
many here has a remote control option available which can attach to handlebars or
similar, and therefore become part of your regular control cluster, meaning you don't
have to move your hands too much to activate it. It has a digital image stabilisation
system, and also a lens distortion correction feature, too. You can also shoot stills in 12
or 8-megapixel modes if you so desire, and the package comes with all the usual cables
and mounts you'd expect from a modern DVR unit. Not a bad choice at all, this.
ION: AIR PRO 3 AUTO: GRAPHER
FROM £269.99 WWW.IONCAMERA.COM £299 WWW.AUTOGRAPHER.COM
Each Air Pro iteration from iON has got This isn't a video camera, but it's a
better and better, we've been trialling wearable one that you pop
them for a couple of years now and on and leave snapping for
have always been impressed. With hours. It will take a
this latest version it's the cutting of series of still pictures
wind-noise, as well as the increased for up to eight hours on
visual clarity, that we admire most. It a single charge, and
does 1080p like the rest of them from can take literally
a 12-megapixel lens, is controlled via thousands of stills,
WiFi , and looks rather fetching in black allowing you to
and blue. document an entire day.
We've used it for road trips
and visiting races, as well
as the odd party or three.
GOPRO: HERO 3 + BLACK Just don't forget it's on
£359.99 WWW.MADISON.CO.UK when you pop to the loo...
The current king of the personal action DVR market, GoPro is the
preferred choice of many – and for good reason, they work bloody
well! This latest version isn't cheap, but it sure is cheerful. It's far
smaller than before and visual acuity has been improved by a
claimed 33 per cent. The battery will last a quarter as long as the
usetde&d
previous model and the WiFi has been seriously upgraded to allow
expert control from a remote control unit such as a phone or tablet, tes
via an app. It uses a 12-megapixel lens to capture images, can take
stills as per usual and will take them from 12 to 240 frames per
second. The kit includes a WiFi remote control, waterproof housing GOCLEVER: SPORT GOLD
and a glut of mounting options. Want any more? Check the website. £99.99 WWW.7DAYSHOP.COM
The GoClever DVR Sport Gold, to give its full
name, has an interesting take on marketing. It
states 'Don't GoPro, GoClever'! Ah, we see what
SONY: ACTION HDR-AS100VR they did there. At the price they sell for, they may
£319 WWW.SONY.CO.UK have a point. A sub-£100 for a 1080p DVR is
impressive. It'll record
This Sony Action Cam' is one smart bit of kit, one for 90 minutes,
that also comes with a wearable wrist-screen. support a 32Gb
You can watch the action live or recorded on it, card and has a
and control the camera remotely too, which is 2.4" touch
very de rigeur. It records in full HD at 50Mbps. display screen
Steadyshot technology smooths out any you can
wobbles and you can also use the supplied rewatch action
software to create a map view with a GPS overlay. It on. It also
comes with a separate housing to protect it, which comes with the
is waterproof, too. We've used this camera a few
usetde&d usual HDMI hook
times now, and the visual quality is truly stunning.
tes ups, USB cable,
several mounts,
waterproof case and
also a two year
DOGCAM: BULLET HD2 warranty.
£149.99 WWW.DOGCAMSPORT.CO.UK
Another of the more sensibly priced units, the
Bullet HD2 is crammed with many features you
find in DVRs twice the price. It records at
1080p at 30fps, and will do so for NILOX: FOOLISH DUCATI
almost two hours. It supports a 32Gb £299 WWW.DUCATIUK.COM
card, but comes with an 8Gb one These guys sponsor WSB, and also Ducati, hence
usetde&d included. There's also a locking
cradle, bar and helmet mounts for
the bespoke Foolish Ducati 1080p DVR you see
tes flat and curved surfaces, a USB
cable, mains charger and lanyard,
here. We have used these before and they have
worked well thus far. It has a wireless remote
control system, and also a removable screen you
but sadly no partridge in a pear tree. can rewatch recordings on
of you washing your
Ducati, or ogling
your Ducati, or
DRIFT: STEALTH 2 other people's
£TBA WWW.DRIFTINNOVATION.COM Ducatis, and so on.
This DVR from Drift is so new we don't even have a price Alternatively,
for it yet! But we do know we want one, especially as it actually stick one
appears to be less than half the size of their previous on your Ducati and
cameras. It has a 300-degree rotatable lens, is weather go riding! Chances
resistant, can be controlled remotely by WiFi (controller are, it'll match the
isn't included though), and can record at the expected colour of your
1080p at 30fps until either the cows come home, or the bike, too, which is
battery runs out, whichever comes first. The package nice. It also comes
comes with a goggle mount, USB cables, some flat nicely kitted out as
standard with lots
adhesive mounts and a curved one, plus a universal clip
to fit them all to the unit. Looking forward to trying it! mostd of accessories.
wante
ALPINESTARS:MOTEGITWO PIECE
ARAI: CHASER-V SCHWANTZ ‘95 The Motegi is available in either a
one piece or two piece
configuration, but
If seeing Kevin Schwantz rip it up at Suzuka we’ve decided to
this year (well, in qualifying at least) has given show off the
you all the inspiration you need to get out two-piece option
and gas it, then this new Arai colourway on because we
the Chaser-V should be perfect. The lid know it’s a
uses super fibre laminate to blend popular choice
strength and weight well. There’s plenty for all sorts of
of ventilation, including a three position reasons (and
chin vent, while the Facial Contour not just
System uses a foam spring support in because
the cheek pad to ensure a snug fit. The you’re a
interior is fully replaceable and you also Weeble…).
get a 5mm peel away layer around the Alpinestars
ears, cheeks and temple. A smart lid use 1.3mm
sporting a smart design. cowhide to
construct
£459.99 www.whyarai.co.uk the suit
using
multiple stitching at the
seams and reinforced
stretch fibre panels on
MAGURA:HC3 the sides of the body,

arms and crotch. There’s
MASTERCYLINDER removable CE
protectors on the
elbows, shoulders
This new master cylinder from Magura uses what the and knees and dual
firm call Hard Core Technology. No, it’s not some new porn density foam
site, but rather tech to reduce internal friction to padding to protect
improve feel and performance. It has been against big
OILY RAG : designed to work with the increasing number of impacts. There’s
T-SHIRTS ABS systems out there too, so a slotted also PE foam
padding at the
King Carl chest, hips,
Fogarty gets his coccyx, arms and
own range of body for further
t-shirts with new piston and stationary primary seal protection. The
brand on the block, give you a quick pressure balance in mesh liner is
Oily Rag. Er, it’s the event of the piston pumping. removable, YKK
made of 100 per The three way adjustable lever ratio zips are used
cent cotton and it’s has the effect of using a piston size throughout and there’s
got Foggy on it. 1mm either way of the selected reflective detailing to be
ratio, while the lever blade uses a seen in the dark.
£21 crashproof folded design.
oilyragclothing
.com £589.92 www.venhill.co.uk £629.99 www.alpinestars.com
POUNDSHOPSPECIALS:FUNNELS budget
It’s easy to dismiss pound shops as toot laden flea pits, but there are actually a few useful bits
contained within - and not just 59 KitKats for a quid. We’re going to pick out the best (or least worst) bitss b uy
from the shops because there are some utter bargains out there – like this three pack of funnels. They, er,
funnel liquid between one receptacle and another, and do so in style! Each one has its own little filter to
keep out big bits of gunk, and that’s about it. But at 33p each you can go crazy and not worry about
getting them covered in oil or whatever else you use with them.
£1 www.poundland.com
UPFRONT
MIVV: KTM SUPER DUKE R CANS

We’ve not seen many exhaust options for the Super Duke R, but here
we’ve got Italian brand MIVV coming to the party with not just one, but four
different options to choose from. They’re called the Speed Edge, the GP and
Suono and the Oval Carbon Cap, and each promises more power, torque and
noise, but less weight. Every can manages to lose weight,
down to the GP that hits the scales at 1.5kg. The Suono,
meanwhile, is claimed to knock out an extra 12.6bhp.
TRIK
MOTO: From £241.00 www.mivv.bike
RIMTAPE
If your rim is
without a stripe
then stop
FIVE: RFX1GLOVES DAINESE:RACINGD1PELLE
sniggering at the French made Five gloves are some Are you a lady? Are you into
back and get some of the best made garments you can bikes? And are you a follower of
tape in. A smart buy. They require a substantial fashion? If you’ve just replied
set of wheels can investment, but once you’ve spent with three yes’s then you’re
transform a bike, big you can enclose your hands into not going through to the
and so long as these safe-like mits. At over £300, next round of X-Factor, but
you’ve got a steady the RFX race glove is as expensive a could be keen on this new
hand the glove as we’ve ever seen, jacket. It’s uses Tutu
application of but for that you get a cowhide (so Desmond
some rim tape can
most full-grain leather will be pleased) and has
do exactly that.
Make it a winter wanted outer, a Kevlar
inner lining, and
S1 bi-stretch inserts for
a proper fit. There’s CE
project... plenty of carbon protection at the
fibre protection to pointy bits (no, not
£14.99 justify the outlay. those pointy bits).
www.trik-moto
.com £330.00 www.motogear.co.uk £374.99 www.dainese.com
DAINESE:MANISBACKPROTECTOR VENTURA:MONSTER
Having invented the first back protector in 1981, Dainese
has been busy kitting the
world’s racing
1200BIKEPACK
superstars with head
to toe safety systems.
SYSTEM
But the Italian firm Carrying luggage doesn’t always mean that you’ve got
has not forgotten the to give in and buy yourself a GS. The likes of Ventura do
spine, and this Manis an ace job at somehow finding space on your machine to
protector is evidence fit it all on, as is the case here with the option for the
of that. It moulds to Monster 1200. The kit is relatively simple to fit, and once
the back by the brackets are on, the pack rack slides in and you put MOTUL:
stretching and your chosen bag on top of that. Everything is held firmly SHINEAND
contracting, in place so forget about strapping anything down, and if GOSPRAY
while also you’re carrying a passenger then the bag can flip the
allowing the other way round. Job done. This is a silicone
torso to twist – based clear coat
but it never forgets spray that not only
its first job and buffs your bike up
uses the crash well, but also
absorbing leaves a long
material to lasting protective
usetde&d dissipate energy film to ensure that
tes – achieving CE Cat II
status in the process.
your hard work is
rewarded for
Shoulder and waist straps longer. It’s said to
ensure a snug fit – and it looks revive your plastics
proper smart (not that anyone as well. Smart.
will see it under your leathers…). £7.99
www.motul
£149.99 www.dainese.com £258 www.ventura-bike.co.uk .co.uk
usetde&d
tes
SHARK RACE-R PRO

Shark helmets, over the years, have saved
my life on countless occasions. That
Fireblade you can see flying through the air
had just spat its rider off in a humongous
highside, and hit me square in the bonce as it
bounced in the track. My lid (and head) took
the brunt of it. The only ramification of
trying to eat a ’Blade was minor concussion
and a sore inner cheek. As you can see by the
force and my double-chin, how the helmet
didn’t come off is a miracle. The carbon shell
ensures the Race-R Pro is superlight (1250g,
as light as any). It isn’t the comfiest lid for
long hauls, and Sharks don’t fit everyone,
but you can’t help but feel secure in a Race-R
Pro. It doesn’t feel plasticy or cheap. And the
hermetic neck pad (whisper-strip) that sits
around the base of the lid is an amazing
feature on the new models, as the wind noise
is dramatically reduced. It’s one of the
quietest helmets on the market, and makes
earplugs redundant. I’m not one to fall for
marketing bullshit, but I do like a helmet
spoiler. The Race-R Pro’s is superbly stable
at high speeds, noticeable after I borrowed
an X-lite for a trip home. Other cool features
include the visor; Shark’s visor systems have
always been easy and super-safe. I’ve never
had a visor come off (like a load of other
brands) after my multitude of crash testing.
Venting is exceptional, as is the anti-mist
visor (you don’t need pesky Pinlocks), but
some torrentially weather has proved slightly
tricky with vision. At half the price of other
rival carbon lids, it’s a bargain.
£499.99 www.nevis.uk.com
ALPINESTARS GP TECH
I love these gloves. They feel sturdy and give you
confidence, although it takes a while to loosen them up
and gain suppleness. We’ve heard of a few reports of
stitching failures around the fingers but I’ve never had
issues. Granted, I broke a few bones in my hand in this
crash, but no glove in the world would have halted a
Honda. I’ve probably had six crashes in various GP Techs
over the years and they’ve performed faultlessly.
The patented finger bridge (between ring and little
fingers) sacrifices little movement and feel. Once bedded
in, I’ve yet to find a comfier pair of mittens. Yes, they’re
pricey, but so is crashing. The only reason I didn’t continue
wearing these gloves post crash was the extent of the
scuffing, and I’m a massive tart...
£219.99 www.alpinestars.com
PRODUCTS
PIC: AJB PHOTOGRAPHIC
FLYING ’BLADE
As tests go, a flying Fireblade in the chops is up there
as a pretty extreme examination. But every crash can
tell us something about our kit, and this particular
incident gave all of Al’s gear a proper going over... DAINESE WAVE AIR
I like moving around on a bike (especially on track), so can’t wear a chest
protector or a big vest-type back protector. A back protector should safeguard the
lower back and coccyx, and the Wave Air does this beautifully without restriction.
I’ve gone as far as removing the shoulder straps to ensure it sits right at the bottom
of my leathers. I’ve had the same Wave since 2008 but decided to upgrade to a new
one last year. It’s small, light, a great fit and has survived numerous crashes. Love it.
£129.99 www.dainese.com
cowhide with double layers in the essential Having worn it for two years, it smells of cat
ARC-ON EVO II areas. There are also (expensive) stingray skin
panels on the back of the thigh to assist with
piss; the only slight downer to this suit is the
non-removable lining, but I’ve only got myself
I’ve worn this arc-on suit for nearly two years lowside slides, and the external armour to the to blame here. All in all though, the Evo II is
now. This is an off-the-peg size 54 with some shoulders and knees do the same job. high-spec a suit that belittles its price and I’d
minor alterations to the cuff, and the fit is I’d actually crashed earlier in the day before the recommend it to anyone as a good performing
lovely. I’m not a rockstar when it comes to fit pictured biggie, as the engine cases kissed one one-piece. The owner of the company, Ian, is a
(as long as it fits), and don’t require made-to- of Anglesey’s kerbs and sent my ass down at top boy and is always on the blower for
measure. There’s a real substance to the Evo II, 60mph. Apart from damaged logos, the Evo II alterations and back-up. The made-to-measure
which doesn’t make it the lightest around. But suit showed no signs of harm. The stitching service and personalisation is second to none –
the armour is UK-based, CE-approved hasn’t suffered at all, and neither did my skin. after all, racing is all about looking good and
Forcefield stuff and it’s fantastic, covering all Only a dislocated shoulder stopped me riding going fast, but not necessarily in that order.
the impact areas. The thighs/hips are protected after this crash but one-piece leathers aren’t
by a thick foam. Arc-on uses 1.2-1.4mm designed to stop such injuries. £749.00 www.arc-on.co.uk
toe slider replacement. And the fundamentals

ALPINESTARS SUPERTECH you expect from a race boot, like grip, is class. I
broke my foot in the crash, but this is the first
The closest thing to wearing trainers, but time I’ve had any injury from wearing any
with all the safety and protection of a Astars premium boot. It really is a magic mix
top-shelf, GP-derived boot – I could wear these of comfort and safety, as restricted movement
all day, all weekend. The Supertechs me and in the ankle doesn’t restrict riding at all. Once
you can buy are exactly the same (bar some knackered beyond photoshoot spec, I’ve worn
snazzy, personalised logos) as Marquez and one pair of Supertechs for about three years
his fellow GP men wear. Apart from the with zero grief. I recall Rootsy moaning about
comfort, I love the inner boot system, although his Dainese’s melting, but I’ve never had any
it’s a pain that you can’t replace just the outer heat issues.
boot – another reason to keep an eye on the
£359.99 www.alpinestars.com
In this we
TRUST
WE SPOTLIGHT THE KIT THAT WE LIVE AND BREATH IN –
FOR BETTER OR FOR WORSE. HERE WE CHECK OUT AL’S TOP
SPEC KIT TO SEE IF IT’S WORTH SPLASHING OUT FOR...
LAUNCH
WORDS: SIMON 'ROOTSY' ROOTS

PICS: MARCO CAMPELLI, ALESSIO BARBANTI
KTM RC 390
KTM
RC 390
IS THE NEW KTM RC 390
A BIG SMALL BIKE? OR
IS IT A SMALL BIG BIKE?
T
hat’s the question I kept asking myself as I sped
around the rolling hills above Modena in Italy on
the RC 390's launch. Otherwise home to Ferrari,
KTM barged onto the roads in typical fashion for a morning
of frolics, before turning all attention to the track, with the
freshly built circuit just out of Modena playing host to all
sorts of slipstreaming and fairing bashing action. After all,
this is a company whose mantra is ready to race.
These two very different environments kept on
supplying different answers to the quandary throughout
the day, starting immediately at the morning’s press
conference. Like the RC 125 that Alastair sampled last
month, in the flesh the RC 390 certainly looks like a small
big bike, and the bike’s design should arouse desire in a
teenager’s trouser department – although there’s not much
that doesn’t at that age. Being A2 compliant, you’re going
to have to wait until you’re at least 19 until you can get
your hands on one (unless the RC 390 cup goes ahead in
the UK for kids aged 13 and above) – which reminded me
that it’s actually a big small bike after all.
Launched separately, but just a month apart, the RC 125
and RC 390 share almost all their components – apart from
the big one in the middle. So unless you know that the
pearl coloured RC is the big 'un and the dark bike the
smaller, then you’ll be none the wiser. You get grown up
components, like 43mm WP USD forks, a radial mount
ByBre caliper, Bosch 9MB ABS, fancy LED lights, a
comprehensive dash and a set of snazzy orange wheels.
Incidentally, this does all mean that you can fit the motor
to the 125's chassis as it will slot straight in, so long as you
use a bigger bellypan…
The motor is the same as used in the Duke 390, so that
means it’s a 373cc single cylinder block using a double
overhead camshaft with finger followers for the valve
actuation. It pumps out 44bhp and doesn’t need to be (ever
so slightly) restricted because it meets the government’s
0.2kW/kg A2 power to weight ratio limit thanks to the
additional weight of the fairing. The frame has altered from
the Duke, so the RC 390 has 1.5 degrees less head angle
and a shorter wheelbase to really get it singing through the
THE BIKE'S DESIGN corners. Couple these mods to its 147kg dry weight and
you’ve got yourself everything that you associate with the
SHOULD AROUSE DESIRE Austrian anarchists.
I’ll 'fess up first, as this was the second go I’d had on
IN A TEENAGER'S TROUSER the RC 390, the first being a shot on the German based
DEPARTMENT...”
one-make RC 390 ADAC Cup bikes earlier in the summer
(see the July issue). Stripped of practical ancillaries, the
road bikes are obviously a little heavier (12kg), but
strangely the road bike is more powerful, pumping out an
LAUNCH
It may be small, but it

still fits the track...
IT WAS A CASE OF SELECTING

A GEAR AND TRYING NOT TO
MAKE THE SHIFT INDICATOR
BULB GO POP...”
A2 friendly 44bhp (as the Cup bikes were the Appenines gave up their undulating ways excellent Bosch ABS system means you can
slightly restricted). Round Maggiore circuit in over 100mph could be prised from the bike throw any finesse out of the window knowing
Italy, the race bike was a blast, a pocket rocket – more than enough in the context. Flip that you can engage full power in any emergency.
in every sense of the word. But how would the performance around and this is a bike that will But surely the track would see the bike
chastening experience of being made road approach 100mpg ridden sympathetically. revert to being a big small bike. Well, that
legal affect the production machine? During the middle of JournoGP it was depends on the track, and in the form of the
Well, after nearly 100km on the road it’s fair returning close to 80mpg, thus negating the Autodromo di Modena, KTM pulled a blinder.
to say the RC 390 shrugged off the changes, as need for anything bigger than a 10 litre tank. The 2.4km circuit packs in a stack of tight
it reverted to being a small big bike through the Hard seat aside, the ergonomics are spot turns, perfect fodder for the wannabe racer.
winding roads above Modena. Innocuous on. At 5’10” I didn’t feel like I was perched on The long start/finish straight got the bike in
through town, the bike is ridiculously easy to top of the bike, and the bars and levers top, otherwise it was a case of selecting
navigate. The turning circle is good, the integrate well. It doesn’t offer too radical a second, third or fourth and trying to not make
820mm seat height confidence inspiring, and stance, but when pressed it’s easy to adopt the the shift indicator bulb go pop.
the short first gear nippy. The featherweight position and attack the road in anger. On After the end of the first session, everyone
clutch engages the well fuelled motor meaning smooth surfaces the bike reacts well, turning got off with a smile. Why? Because we had all
al you need to do is feed it gears. Given only very quickly thanks to the geometry, been transported back to an era of RD350s and
44bhp to play with there’s a lot of character wheelbase and 150-section rear tyre. It offers 400cc pocket rockets – our collective misspent
contained within. There’s certainly a decent support and control at this point, but youths. The single is a little raw up towards
midrange, at around 6,000rpm, meaning that when the road offers more of a challenge the five figures, but it’s more than willing to come
buzzing through third, fourth and fifth in the suspension does lose some of its control, out and play, and when you don’t have the
hills was child’s play. The top end is all a bit especially at the rear. Braking through the power to draw you closer to a rival you need to
buzzy, but when we reverted to the flat after single caliper is hardly overwhelming, but the concentrate and simply ride better.
26 november204 www.fastbikesmag.com
KTM RC390
DASH ERGONOMICS ABS

The RC 390 owns a grown up dash Despite using the same rolling chassis as the RC 125, the Safety will be a big selling point of this bike, what
that features plenty of information 390 has a genuine big bike feel to it. The seat is relatively with it being A2 compliant, and KTM has supplied a
– including a gear indicator and high, at 820mm, but because the machine is so light it's Bosch 9MB ABS system that works very well - even
fuel consumption figures. a breeze to manoeuvre – especially in town. when giving it some serious abuse on track.
MOTOR REAR SEAT

Easily maligned as being a boring four-stroke lump, the 373.2cc It may look like a common-or-garden seat, but KTM
single cylinder engine actually possesses a fair bit of character. The has gone to great lengths to come up with a new
law dictates its output, but within this parameter the KTM has a solution in making this integrated seat. It's made
midrange and a buzzy top end to mate to its easy low down power. from a new plastic/rubber material that has required
significant investment. Plus it won't get scratched!
SUSPENSION
The RC 390 borrows the same sized forks as the RC8 R,
at 43mm, but the internals are vastly different. The WP
set-up also has less travel than on the 390 Duke. At the
rear a WP shock has preload adjustment only.
BRAKES
The ByBre radial caliper looks
the business, but doesn't have
the stopping power of the parent
company's equipment.
LAUNCH
TECHNICAL KTM RC 390

engine
Type 373.2cc single cylinder, DOHC, four stroke

Bore x Stroke 89 x 60mm
Compression 12.5:1
Fuelling Bosch EFI, 46mm throttle body
Claimed Power 44bhp @ 9,500rpm
Claimed Torque 35Nm @ 7,250rpm
chassis
Frame Steel trellis frame

F Suspension 43mm WP USD fork, non adj.
R Suspension WP monoshock, preload adj.
Front Brakes Four piston radial caliper, 300mm disc, ABS
Rear Brakes Single piston caliper, 230mm disc
dimensions
Wheelbase 1,340mm
Seat Height 820mm
Dry Weight 10 litres
Fuel Capacity 147kg
price
Price
£4,995
From www.ktm.co.uk
01280 709500
www.ktm.co.uk
Highlights
375cc single pot
WP suspension
Bosch ABS
Lightest in class
44bhp
147kg (dry)
£4,995
track 8
Proper little weapon
fast road 7
Tries its heart out engine The motor comes straight from the Duke chassis The RC 390 uses the same chassis as the
hooligan 8 390, so is a 375cc short stroke single cylinder machine that RC 125, so it’s a robot welded steel trellis with different
Wheelies and skids! hits the scales at 36kg. It has a four valve head, uses a geometry and weight distribution to the 390 Duke. The
new rider 10 forged piston, has DLC coated aluminium finger followers 43mm USD forks are the same as the Duke’s, but with
What’s stopping you? (actuating the 36mm intake and 29mm exhaust valves) reduced travel and stiffer settings, while the progressive
desirability 8 and vertically stacked transmission shafts to make it as rear shock is the same. The swingarm is fashioned from
Best of the bunch compact as possible. While the engine mounting points aluminium while the clever pillion seat is made from a new
And there's the gusset... are the same as on the RC 125, it uses wider crankcases. A foam/plastic material. Brake are by Brembo’s ByBre team
balancer shaft is used to cut inherent vibrations. and grip 300mm discs with a Bosch 9MB ABS system.
The RC 390 enables you to do that, to a level, so I guess I got exactly what I deserved intervals would make me think twice.
degree, and before long the pegs and bellypan when I slipped off late in the day… At £500 more than the RC 125, it's an utter
were scraping in a desperate quest to shave a I learned that if you don’t go beyond the bargain in the KTM context. That probably
few tenths here and there all thanks to the limits of lean the RC390 can deliver so many tells you more about the price of the 125, but
motor’s enthusiasm and the chassis’ low mass. more lessons to a fresh rider. It’s the perfect against the likes of the Honda CBR500R
The throttle isn’t an on/off switch, so you do stepping stone from an A1 license and a real (£5,299) and Kawasaki Ninja 300 (£5,199 with
learn control, how to build corner speed and treat to look forward to once you’ve passed ABS), the RC 390’s £4,995 price tag is bang on
best utilise the RC’s facets. The Metzeler M5s that test – it’s also easy enough to understand the money and should Hoover up sales in a
allow this to a certain extent, but once things the basics on if you’re diving straight in with market that can only grow going forward.
start decking out that’s the point where the Direct Access. But this bike goes beyond
suspension fails to translate the warning signs, learners and should appeal to a broad swathe Verdict 8/10
both fore and aft, where at the front the tyre of riders who want a bike that looks the real IN CONCLUSION, THE RC 390 IS A SMALL BIG BIKE, AND OFFERS AN
doesn’t offer anything back and at the rear the deal but they’re not going to scare themselves ARRAY OF PERFORMANCE BEYOND ITS CAPACITY.
shock goes soggy as soon as you apply the silly on it. I’d have no qualms riding it on a + PRICE, LOOKS, PERFORMANCE
throttle. But this was all at taking the utter piss daily basis, and only the 7,500km service - SOFT SHOCK, HARD SEAT, SHORT SERVICE INTERVALS
LAUNCH
WORDS: SIMON 'ROOTSY' ROOTS PICS: MARCO CAMPELLI
MOTO MORINI
CORSARO
VELOCE
SHIVER ME TIMBERS, THE MOTO MORINI
CORSARO (ITALIAN FOR PIRATE) IS BACK –
AND BADDER THAN EVER…
I
f you, like us, were wondering what the briefly loved was that from 2003. A range of
hell happened to Moto Morini recently, new bikes were announced with a modular
then stay tuned. Completely out of the and muscular motor powering them all – the
blue, we had an invite to come and test the 1,187cc Bialbero CorsaCorta v-twin. These
Italian firm’s entire range, and having been bikes were a breath of fresh air, followed
smitten by the bikes in the past it was an easy quickly by the intoxicating exhalation of burnt
decision to revisit the bikes – especially with hydrocarbons from the rollicking motor. The
the venue being a late summer’s day in and bad ass Corsaro came first, quickly followed by
around the historic Italian city of Genoa. the more refined 9½, then the bonkers Corsaro
We thought the firm was still bankrupt, but Veloce, adventure-esque Granpasso, semi-sane
a little investigation work (er, typing Moto 1200 Sport and finally the fashionista’s
Morini into Google) found that the company favourite, the Scrambler. But by 2009 the frail
had been bought in 2011 and brought back to premise on which the new firm had been built
life soon after. Indeed, boom and bust had crumbled in the recession. A fire sale got
characterises Moto Morini's history. The boom rid of existing stock (at bargain prices too), and
times were good, and the firm prospered from there was another famous old marque’s
the moment of its incarnation in 1937 by resurrection crushed.
Alfonso Morini, through to the 1960s and 70s. But that wasn’t the end of that, and in 2011
But by the 1980s the brand was all but dead the firm had been sold to a pair of Milanese
and passed between neglectful owners. businessmen, Sandro Capotosti and the
The Moto Morini version we know and biggest name in Italian motorcycling,
A MODULAR AND MUSCULAR MOTOR

POWERS THEM ALL...”
All five bikes were available at the start – but

the Rebello (middle) had an early bath...
MOTO MORINI CORSARO
LAUNCH
It's a crazy
adventure...
GRANPASSO
All adventure bikes should be like this – a
little bit out there… Even though the Morini
engineers have curbed the bike’s power,
there’s still masses contained within – and
it all wants to burst out. It’s more civil than
the Corsaro at low revs, then it comes on
cam at 4,000rpm and things get very
perky from there all the way to the redline They all do this, sir...
at 8,500rpm. Motor aside, it’s very light on
its feet, and it pitches into a turn with
plenty of vigour. The Pirelli Scorpion trail
tyres offer grip all the way to the peg, but
for those more relaxed moments it’s mega
comfortable with one of the best seats I’ve
ridden on, decent weather protection and
some still smart looks. It’s pretty tall, so not
everyone will fit it, but as a dynamic
package it’s right up there with the KTM
Adventure as a bike to do big distances at
proper big speed. THIS IS A BRUTE OF A BIKE, AND
INTRODUCTIONS ARE GRUFF...”
Are you after a

great escape?
SCRAMBLER
Essentially the Granpasso in slightly
Not cutting edge, but still
different clothes, the Scrambler certainly bang up for a scrap!
hits the target when it comes to its design.
The military styling contains all manner of
neat touches; from the headlight protector
at the front to the natty exhausts and Ruggeromassimo Jannuzzelli (25 letters!). it, then prepare yourself for a feisty time. The
single sided saddle bag at the rear. Power is By spring the following year the production massive motor obviously has two boxing glove
virtually the same as the Granpasso, as is line in Bologna had started up again, with its sized pistons shooting up and down, and the
the chassis, although the suspension travel output up for sale via the firm’s internet site. new fuel injectors can only offer limited
has been shortened to suit. But the stand The firm is currently producing the 11½ refinement up to 3,500rpm. Busy Genoa traffic
out feature of this bike are the Metzeler (effectively the 9½), the Scrambler, the means that you sit at exactly this level on your
Karoo 3 tyres. They’re fine through town, Granpasso, the Corsaro Veloce and a new bike, escape to the hills and holding a constant
but shocking at speed with the knobblies the Rebello. All five bikes were able to be throttle is hard. At this point it is fuel injection
wandering all over the place, especially as ridden on the test – with the exception of the of a few years ago. It didn’t bother me much,
you start to carve some corners. The front Rebello, which had taken a whack a few days and its other town manners were perfectly
brake causes the tyre to lock all too easily before. But that made the choice of what bike civil, but it could be hard for some to return to
and getting the front 19-inch tyre to steer is to focus on an easy one – the Corsaro Veloce. less sophisticated low speed throttle control.
a weird experience. Stick a normal set of This is a brute of a bike, and introductions Once out of town, the motor builds massive
tyres on and it’d be a great urban warrior are gruff. Though the riding position is nice momentum stupidly quickly. On song, this is a
that will get lots of heads turning. and neutral, with a comfortable seat and easily peach of a motor with a capacious midrange
operated controls, the motor is anything but that you’ll never want to leave. It generates
simple. If you’re up for the challenge of taming huge amounts of thrust between corners,
MOTO MORINI CORSARO
THE CORSARO USES TECHNOLOGY

THAT WORKS, RATHER THAN STUFF
THAT IS FASHIONABLE...”
which can either be directed forwards or The ride is similarly spectacular too; well these aging Brembo components work
upwards. Plump for forwards and it eats balanced and offering lots of feedback. We’re wonders – they have to at times given the
straights hungrily. Chose upwards and you’ll not talking about state of the art components trouble this bike gets you in. ABS is coming,
soon develop face ache from the mile wide grin or radical geometry, just a package that Moto Morini is working hard with Bosch, but
you’ll be wearing... worked at its inception and still works now. going au natural is a refreshing blast from the
The fuelling is much more consistent at The Marzocchi forks are adjustable, but why past on dry summer roads.
these levels, demonstrated by crisp corner exits bother when as standard they offer this much And that’s the theme with this bike – it uses
where the aptly fitted Pirelli Rosso II tyre grips feel. The slightly lazy trail figures mean that at technology that works rather than stuff that is
and goes, and also by wheelies that will climb big lean angles the feedback from the front tyre fashionable. That’s not to say the Corsaro is
and climb and climb. Yes, this is one of the best is a little muffled, but this is also down to the the same bike as before – there’s a new APTC
wheelie bikes in the world. Clutch it up and nature of nakeds and their weight distribution. slipper clutch, revised mapping, a double
the motor seems to respond softly, but the The rear Sachs shock is a peach (new bikes get Lambda sensor and new carbon fibre parts –
reality is that it’s trying to lift you plus 198 Öhlins), and copes serenely with both bumps but the core of the bike, it’s thunderous motor
kilos of bike. Then it has one of the widest and power. Eschewing looks, the bike gets a and agile chassis, remains as relevant and as
balance points I’ve ever experienced, meaning 180-rear tyre and steers all the better for it. raucous as ever.
that you can tickle it ever upward – until you It’s somewhat of a shock to see But as much as the Corsaro pulls at your
start scaring yourself silly. conventionally mounted brake calipers, but heart, your head has a say in the matter. Do
november204 www.fastbikesmag.com 33
LAUNCH
TECHNICAL MOTO MORINI CORSARO VELOCE engine The 1,187cc Bialbero CorsaCorta v-twin chassis The lightweight tubular steel chassis is
motor is common to all modern Morinis, but changes are tweaked for use in other applications, but the Corsaro’s
made to suit each application. In this case the Corsaro gets geometry offers a rider plenty of opportunity to exploit its
the most aggressive cams, pistons and mapping, meaning potential. So does the suspension, with a chunky set of
it spits out 135bhp at 8,500rpm. The motor uses big 50mm Marzocchi forks at the front and a Sachs shock at
54mm throttle bodies, and for 2014 the bike gets new the rear (soon to be Öhlins)– all fully adjustable. The
injectors, a dual lambda probe and fresh mapping to Brembo bakes ore conventionally mounted calipers, but
improve low down power and increase fuel consumption. don’t suffer for their age or fashion status. New carbon
There is also a new APTC slipper clutch fitted, with a set of fibre parts litter the bike, but those twin pipes at the rear
Termignoni racing exhausts available as a free upgrade. are real bazookas. Pirelli Rosso II tyres are standard.
engine
Type 1,187cc, 87-degree, l/c, v-twin

Bore x Stroke 66 x 107mm
Compression 11.9:1
Fuelling EFI, 54mm injectors
Claimed Power 135bhp @ 8,500rpm
Claimed Torque 122Nm @ 6,750rpm
chassis
Frame Tubular steel trellis

F Suspension 50mm Marzocchi USD forks, fully adj
R Suspension Sachs monoshock, fully adj.
Front Brakes Four piston Brembo caliper, 320mm discs
Rear Brakes Two piston Brembo caliper, 220mm disc
dimensions
Wheelbase 1,450mm
Seat Height 830mm
Dry Weight 18 litres
Fuel Capacity 198kg
price
Price
£12,666
From Moto Morini
www.motomorinimotorcycles.eu
WANT ONE?
11 1/2 Here’s the thing. If you want to buy one of these bikes today you have to jump on the internet – or
The conservative looks of the 11½ mask a on a plane to the Genoa showroom. Head to the Morini website, pick a bike and press the ‘Buy Now’
machine that’s nearly as fruity as the button. It’s as simple as that. Once you’ve clicked, you get a chance to spec up your machine,
Corsaro. The bike reminds me of the old choose a colour and add any extras. Bikes are delivered around 15 days after your order in Italy (or
BMW R 1200 R in looks, but on the hoof it’s you could pick it up at the factory and take the tour), but shipping them to one of the UK’s three
nothing like the genteel old Beemer. I don’t service centres obviously takes longer and costs an extra 430 euros. You get a two year warranty,
love the design, although there are classic but to validate this service work has to be done at a service centre (North Leicester Motorcycles,
elements to it, but as with all the modern Streffords of Worcester or Moto Corsa in Dorset). Moto Morini is starting to build up a dealer
Morinis the ergonomics are intuitive and network, so expect to see bikes and some dealer demos in the flesh sometime soon.
easy. You get less power with the 117bhp
incarnation of the motor, less adjustability
in the Marzocchi and Paioli suspension and
less attitude than the Corsaro, but you
can’t hide the motor’s verve, and the you want to be spending over £12,000 on a have to wait until the dealer network expands,
suspension is actually set well. You’d never bike that’s effectively a decade old? Do you which the firm is currently working on, and
shake one off your tail down a back road, want to be ordering your pride and joy on the not moan when this streak of Italian lightning
while in urban environments the big, low internet? Do you want to be miles from passes you on the back wheel…
seat and natty mirrors ensures that you someone who can service and fix it?
have a more composed time in town. At If performance is the only thing that Verdict 8/10
just over £8,500 it's great value and it could matters and you answer yes to each of these A HUMDINGER OF A BIKETHAT HAS NOT SUFFEREDWITH AGE. AS GOOD
find many happy owners... questions, then you need to head to www. NOW AS ITWASTHEN – BUT SOMEWOULD LIKE MORE...
motomorinimotorcycles.eu right now and have + AMAZING MOTOR, CHARACTER, RIDE
your credit card at the ready. If not, then you’ll - DEALER NETWORK, OLD KIT, FUEL CONSUMPTION
GROUP TEST
aked
YET MORE
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NAKED MIDDLE GREATS
Mi dle
WORDS:
BENJAM
IN 'BJ'
KUBAS
CRONIN
PICS: D
OM ROM
NEY
GRE ATS
GROUP TEST
Honda
CB650F
He's making a run for
it, get him!
I
t was a tough ask for Honda’s
latest addition to the long-
standing CB range to outwit the
competition at the first attempt.
However, it is up against some
already outstanding machinery – and
don’t gloss over the fact you’re
reading about this bike first, because
as last places go it’s a proper fighting
one for the CB. Go on, son!
We decided to split this test
between road and track. The track
part is where we expected the Honda
to struggle, and while it didn’t set our
world on fire, it was pretty handy.
Everyone who rode it there got off
with a smile on their face.
We’ll get to that later, but let’s first
have a look at the bike itself. These
are built in Thailand, by all accounts.
Although a few bits would appear to
have been fashioned by a popular
cartoon mouse, but they’re thankfully
scarce. Like its faired CBR650F
sibling, it looks smart, and the
components don’t exude too much of
a ‘cheap’ essence, either. We did
think the brake discs looked a bit
skinny, mind you!
The overall look isn’t exuberant in
any grand way, but it's stylish enough
and is backed up by the neat exhaust
and gently sculpted swingarm. The
paint isn’t overbearing, either. It’s
simple yet attractive, and the wheels
look truly cool and like they should
be rolling a bike worth far more than
the CB’s asking price.
The engine is the same as that in
the CBR650F, yet here in the CB the
inline four makes far more of an
impression. Whether or not it’s the
naked set-up, or slightly lower
EVERYONE WHO gearing, it feels livelier. The pick-up is

quick, not intoxicating, but urgent
RODE IT CAME OFF enough to raise a smile or overtake a

procession of cars.
WITH A SMILE ON On track the speed built quickly

enough to make you think about an
THEIR FACE...” approaching corner before you

expected, and reached levels of
NAKED MIDDLE
LE GREATS
FAGAN’S
OPINION
First off, I love the looks of the
Honda – the lines, the Euro-
style wheels and the exhaust
headers. And it's well-priced
too. The chassis feels tight and
responsive, steering quickly with
little effort, although ground
clearance can be an issue. Its
budget ways are only highlighted
when the suspension is working
hard. The set-up lacks any
progression or calm damping.
Despite the iffy on/off throttle
jerk (fuel injection issues), the
Honda is by far the best town bike
on test. It's light, easy to chuck
around at minor lean angles, the
controls feel peachy on the limbs,
and the motor dishes out plenty
of grunt in the right places. The
last few thousand revs are an
utter waste of time though!
Al's Verdict 7/10
Not the CB's usual
playground...
HONDA CB650F ABS £6,399 excitement high enough

that feeding it gears
through the slightly notchy And, lo, the great
rutting of Llandow
gearbox became a game commenced...
rather than a chore. It’ll
also stunt pretty well once
provided with enough motivation. exceeded its abilities either, making it
Given that squeezing a loft out of its fun, but also safe. It definitely
sibling CBR650F is about as likely as enjoyed being ridden smoothly
raising the Titanic, it adds a lot of though, as any exaggerated actions
kudos to the CB’s mojo and via the superb brakes or the gasser
desirability factor. would find the suspension kick out
What’s also surprising is how somewhat, pogo stylee.
nimble it feels lugging its Speaking of which, going
208kg about. Yep, it really from a closed to open
does weigh that much fully REAL DEAL throttle can be quite jerky
engine
Honda has built a new motor for this and the Highlights tanked. Quite where the Fowlers run 4.9% APR and the delivery is often
osit and
faired CBR650F – no parts are shared with the New 649cc motor weight comes from is with a £1,381.54 dep abrupt to the point of
Hornet. Bore is the same as the RR at 67mm, 36 £150 payments, or PCP
RWU forks anyone’s guess, but much n, 36 x £10 7 being annoying, it’s
with a new stroke figure of 46mm. Honda £89 5.8 6 dow
wanted a specific torque figure, so elements CB design of old of it is hidden through the a £2,141.31 fina l most un-Honda-like,
and
like con-rod length and valve overlap (set at ABS as standard high bars that offer a lot of lump... frankly. These quirks
zero) were key in hitting this. Breathing holes 208kg leverage, which when permeate through much of
in the crankcase reduce pumping losses. Peak 79.8bhp combined with its chosen the bike, oddly. But it does add a
claimed power is 87bhp at 11,000rpm. geometry and half decent suspension bit of grit to the experience, a touch of
TRACK 6 means handling sits on just the right character many Hondas lack, and
Happy on a school day
chassis
The CB650F uses a steel diamond chassis with side of acceptability. while it may not have won this test,
elliptical spars that allow the bike’s width to
FAST ROAD 6 It's mint at the everyday grind. it’s certainly worthy of your attention
The tighter the better
be narrower, and thus hiding the relatively tall Though it's mildly on the soft side, and consideration nonetheless.
810mm seat height.The aluminium swingarm HOOLIGAN 7 especially the rear (which is a Honda
is gravity die cast. Suspension is an adjustable Once you get the hang of it
trait), but this works brilliantly for the Verdict 7/10
set of 41mm RWU forks at the front and a seven NEW RIDER 9 largest variance of potential
way preload adjustable shock at the rear. Rake Smooth and safe This is a great little bike from Honda, just not ground
is set at 25.5 degrees with 101mm of trail and end-users. As ground clearance and breaking. Thankfully, not bank breaking!
DESIRABILITY 7 hero blobs would signal when
a wheelbase of 1,450mm. Wheels are new. Fresh and funky + TORQUE, LOOKS, PRICE, FUN
playtime was over on track, it never - ULTIMATELY A COMPROMISE FOR COST
GROUP TEST
Kawasaki Z800
I
love this bike. No, seriously, I
really do adore it and it’s with a
heavy heart that it slots into third
place here in this test. But it's a third
that has the same score as the Ducati,
which makes it easier to swallow.
My love affair began on the launch
back in the winter of 2012 in and
around Monaco – and it didn’t hit an
abrupt end when I fell off it at one
point... Then I got to take one on
track in the UK a few months later,
and loved the shits and giggles it
generated on demand. Charlie
Oakman, of this parish, then had one
as a longtermer and he modified it
making it even better and even more
lovable. If you’ve guessed that I’m
trying to say it’s a great bike, then
you’ve guessed correctly, because it
is. And this despite it weighing as
much as a small country. It weighs
pretty much the same as its bigger
1,037cc Zed sibling, which, quite
frankly, is completely astonishing. At home on the track,
Yet it’s this very mass that seems or on the road...
to work so well in its KAWASAKI Z800 £7,499

favour, as it acts as
some sort of stabilising
effect on the machine,
during both road and REAL DEAL and accurate, making
track work. £100 deposit sees credit changing a line midturn
x
Having said that, owed of £7,534 OTR. 36 relatively easy and hassle
pay me nts, on zer o
within a few laps of £209.27 free. It also remains
per cent fina nce equ als
Llandow it was clear a final total of, er, composed under light or
not all was well with £7,634! heavy braking, providing
this particular shock. enough feedback through the
Either it had been set overly bespoke Dunlop D214 OE tyre so you
soft, or it was badgered, which is know exactly what’s going on at all
strange as on the Z800 they’re times. The ride on the road is really
usually half decent at the very least. sublime, too, so long as everything is
So things got a bit bouncy at the rear hunky dory with the surface.
engine
whether on or off the gas. What really makes the Zed fly The 806cc engine is more an evolution than Highlights
When issue-free they still do though, is the engine. Shortish brand new, although it has been heavily Awesome styling
breathed upon. Bore and stroke is now71 Impressive new motor
rebound a bit too quickly at times gearing helps it to rev quickly, and
x 50.9mm, (was 68.4 x71mm).Throttle
and huge bumps can test them, but while it’s a tad annoying on the bodies are also larger, up 2mm to 34mm, ABS option incoming
otherwise they tend to be gravy. It’s motorway, when giving it the berries while the exhaust and intake ports have been Funky new dash
a testament to the rest of the bike’s it does add to the pulse rate increase. redesigned to match the extra capacity.The 229kg (kerb)
set-up that it barely hindered our 101bhp is a decent figure in this class, intake funnels are of two different lengths, 101bhp
fun, or took away from the Zed’s as is 76Nm of torque, so it’s no with now wider intake ducts at 41.5mm.
skill showcase. It really was a proper wonder that it pulls hard and will TRACK 7
A lot of hot green fun!
chassis
hoot, and even if this bike’s arse gladly wheelie with aplomb in the The frame is technically the same as the
wasn’t up to the usual standard, the first couple of gears. And with the previous 750's, however it has been braced
FAST ROAD 8
Loves being thrashed
front was absolutely rock solid. typically perfect Kawasaki throttle in several areas. This has changed the rigidity
Rarely does any other response, it’s always delivered exactly balance significantly, lending to far more HOOLIGAN 9
solid road-holding skills. A mixture of solid/ Wheelies for breaky
manufacturer provide a set-up that how you demand, so stunts are easy,
rivals a Kawasaki’s front-end and stonking corner exits are easy and
rubber mounts allows a newfound sense of NEW RIDER 9
feedback through the chassis. The swingarm is Let me hold your hand
even on a ‘budget’ bike, it’s very traversing slippery road conditions 12mm longer to meld with the shorter gearing,
impressive. For such a lump, the are also, you've guessed it, easy. while the Kayaba front fork is uprated.
DESIRABILITY 8
Green equals mean
steering is remarkably light, fluid If there was a dictionary entry for
NAKED MIDDLE GREATS
FAGAN’S
OPINION
What a motor! Regular four-pots
lack any character, but the Z800's
is nothing short of stunning.
Power anywhere on tap, and a
cheeky midrange provoke the
madness. It's also super-smooth
and fuels perfectly. It's another
notch up on the quality and finish
of the Honda, and easily beats the
CB in the corners – there's loads of
ground clearance. The relatively
budget components do an ace job.
Its weight is only an issue when
you're trying to push it around a
car park. As long as there are no
bumps to tackle, there's a real
sense of stability and assurance,
aided by its 230kg mass. It's a
toss-up between the Zed and the
Monster, but it still can't match
the skills of the Street Trip'.
Al's Verdict 8/10
‘perfect throttle response’, there’d be

a picture of a Kawasaki throttle and
fuelling assembly, it’s that good. One
can only imagine what this bike
would be like, with this engine and
Kawasaki's superb chassis skills,
should they ever manage or see fit to
lop 40kg off it...
Then it’d truly challenge the Street
Triple and any ahead of it in the
performance scales. As is, and while
still brilliant, it’s just not quite special
enough to warrant a higher placing,
even if the price is most definitely
right. Additionally, we love the fact
there's an A2 licence friendly version
available. It's a smart move which
JUST IMAGINE may just tempt many an A2 buyer

into parting with their cash.
WHAT THIS BIKE Verdict 8/10

WOULD BE LIKE IF IT The Zed loses points for being a bit porky, but otherwise
it makes a terrific hack and looks amazing, too!
LOST 40KG... ” + ENGINE, HANDLING, STYLING, STUNTS!

- FAT, FAT, FAT…
GROUP TEST
FAGAN’S
OPINION
It's an all-new bike, but the 821
still manages to retain intrinsic
Monster DNA. Everything offers
another level of freshness,
though. The riding position is
very near to that of the older
bikes (with its annoying exhaust
position, etc) but it's certainly
more masculine to look at (and
is a bike I'd now consider), and is
backed-up by a naughty sound
on the overrun. There's a lovely
2-3,000rpm window of revs in
the midrange that really makes
the engine. Open the throttle and
the 821 gets angry. Really angry.
The chassis has sacrificed some
sharpness for a little stability and
it's a better road bike for it. Even
THE THING'S A
with all the electronic toys, it's a
Ducati for under £9k. Bargain?
BLOODY MANIAC WHEN
Al's Verdict 8/10 YOU HAMMER THE
GASSER... ”
NAKED MIDDLE GREATS
D
ucati’s entry here is the most Scccrrsshhh...
expensive by some margin,
especially when compared to
the Honda. However, someone
considering the CB is unlikely to
choose the Duke to start with. This
despite it being easier than ever to
walk into the Ducati club, via the
excellent PCP finance schemes.
Yet something as tasty as the
Monster 821 could very well persuade
some to take the plunge, to stretch
those wallet-walls further. Yes, it's
pricey in this company, but what you
get in return is worth every penny.
This new Monster uses a
derivative of the engine seen in last
year’s Hypermotard. It’s a hard hitter
alright, especially on road. We took it
out on track first, and while it seemed
sprightly enough the circuit masked
the speeds it's capable of. Because
when we hit the roads we found that
REAL DEAL
A minimum deposit of
7
£2,233 precedes 35 x £10
The Monster's a
beast on the road
payments, £415 in fees and
a final £4,244 lump sum
to make ityours.
DUCATI MONSTER 821 DARK £8,795 it’s a belligerent little sod by way of better proposition than any Monsters
being far more aggressive than you’d before them. There’s a strong
grant. Seriously, the thing’s a bloody rear-end bias in play, and while
maniac when you hammer the gasser, steering is still relatively quick, on
voraciously gobbling up revs, gears track it’s very noticeable. As is the
and demanding more, more and fact the exhaust valve cover (and
more, without even saying please. thereafter the exhaust itself) touches
It’s a real Jekyll and Hyde down quite easily, curbing your fun
character, as when you’re pootling lest you wear through them. It’s kind
around in traffic or keeping things of a shame, as the previous Monsters
relaxed, it’s as if butter wouldn’t melt. were all superb track scalpels.
But get busy and it pulls at its leash, However, the fact remains it is
with a bark so loud I have no clue better on the highways and far less
how it got past the Euro regulations. intrusive on your body. One could
The throttle also changes too, almost call it normal and, therefore,
depending on usage and aggression. it’s better for everyone. The quality of
engine
The 821cc liquid cooled v-twinTestastretta Highlights On track, in places it was quite jerky the ride is also a step above, only
11 degree engine (referring to the reduced New 821cc engine when called upon with an almost too matched by the Triumph. You’re very
amount of valve overlap) has been prised Brembo M4.32s eager throttle response that would aware you’re rolling on decent tyres
from the Hypermotard and treated to a new
fuel injector positioning and a secondary air Glorious soundtrack upset the suspension a little. and well specced suspension. It’s a
system to improve combustion efficiencies. DTC and ABS Anything too giddy was taken care of little stiff, yes, but you acclimatise to
There’s also a new 53mm throttle body to give 179.5kg (dry) by the excellent traction control it and the rear can be adjusted further
the bike more torque.The crank uses new shell 94bhp system, but it’s unusual to have such to suit individual needs.
main bearings and a new oil pump is used. an abrupt throttle response on a Throw in the DTC and ABS, as
TRACK 7 Ducati. Except, it was only like that well as awesome Brembo brakes, and
Rubbish ground clearance...
chassis
Still retaining a trellis design, Ducati is applying on two corners, so it must be inherent you have a bike that seems cheap for
lessons learned from the monocoque Panigale,
FAST ROAD 9 to a specific point in the rev-range the price. If only it was as stunning a
Up there with the best
attachment points now move to the bike’s and the fuelling map, which is package, as what follows next...
cylinder heads. New steel tubing has near HOOLIGAN 8 otherwise as accurate as we’ve come
Turn off that TC
doubled torsional stiffness, but 1.23kg has
been lost from the front frame and 1.1 kilos has NEW RIDER 6 to expect from Ducati. Verdict 8/10
vanished from the subframe (from the 796). Chink in its armour Handling wise, the new bike Great, road-biased Monster with a bad attitude and sub
A cheaper double sided aluminium swingarm proffers skills both good and mildly £10k price tag – everyone's a winner!
DESIRABILITY 10
is used. Brakes are Brembo M4.32 calipers. We'll have three, please... disappointing. For the road this, like + RAW ATTITUDE, LOOKS, QUALITY KIT, FAST!
the also new Monster 1200, is a far - LOST ITS TRACK SKILLS IN THE WASH...
GROUP TEST
REAL DEAL
Triumph Street Triple R
h
Fowlers do PCP deals wit
a £1,556.20p deposit, and
a
36 x £105 payments with
£4,416 closure payment.
You knowyou want
C
onfession time, originally we to...
wanted the stock Street here.
Events conspired against us
(in that they kept getting sold, which
in itself says much about the stock
bike), but it’s actually worked out
better in the end. With something as
special as the Ducati in tow, and with
the Street Triple R’s price, it is far
more suited to sit here.
I’ve lost count of how often I’ve
had to write the winning piece for
this machine over the years. Split
between it and the stock version it
must be a dozen times. This means
there's the danger of repeating myself
– explaining just how and why
nobody has yet been able to match it
doesn’t get any easier!
One thing that always comes to
mind when riding one, is the term
‘package’. Racers like Chaz Davies
bang on about this. What he means
It's brilliant here, and also

there, in fact, everywhere...
TRIUMPH STREET TRIPLE R £8,149 by this is every single bit being at one hard. The bike we had on test here
with every other, a bike which may was from Fowlers of Bristol, and as
not have the best of everything, but they had fitted new tyres we
nothing that hinders it. That’s the promised to mostly use it on the road.
Street Triple R all over, and that’s why I can’t begin to tell you how
it’s been the best – and will likely excruciating it was to not be able to
remain top dog, too. spend all day razzing it on track.
It all starts with the engine, that There’s an ST-R, there’s a racetrack
glorious inline lump we’ve come to – it's like waving a bag of an addict’s
adore and adulate. It’s a work of favourite hit in front of him, yet
genius really, and that it hasn’t had to forever out of reach. That’s how good
change much in eight years is surely a one feels on track when you’re on it.
mark of its greatness. The mix of The suspension, the brakes and
low-down urgency and drive, mixed the engine all combine to create one
with a satisfying top-end pull means glorious whole, and this feeling
it’s perfect in all conditions. permeates the experience on the road
engine
The celebrated Daytona 675 inline triple lump Highlights With other manufacturers heading too. There’s no point where you feel
gets a new cam profile for more torque and Daytona based nutter down the triple route, it would seem like any of your own, or one of the
usability, with the redline down to 12,650rpm. Supersport chassis many deem it the perfect bike’s, deficiencies is holding you
The Keihin fuel-injection system uses three
44mm throttle bodies, with multi-spray Tons of torque configuration, and it’s hard to argue back, in any arena of use.
injectors. Sensors for throttle position, crank Radial calipers against it when you twist the ST-R’s That’s special, there’s not many
position, road speed, air pressure, and air and 167kg throttle. How the engine can be both bikes that generate such a compelling
coolant temp are all controlled by the ECU, 96bhp exciting and seemingly lazy, at the symbiosis, whether you’re popping to
as is the secondary air injection system. same time, is some feat of the shops, scything through a rain
TRACK 9 engineering. The fuelling isn’t the sodden rush hour traffic or chasing
Daytona derived antics
chassis
The aluminium twin spar frame comes directly best here, but it’s good enough due to supersport tackle on track. And that’s
from the Daytona 675, and it’s fabricated from
FAST ROAD 10 the forgiving delivery of the triple and why once more, yet again, the ST-R
See above.
both open-back and closed-back castings. therefore doesn’t count against it. wins yet another test.
Geometry is tweaked a little over the 675, so HOOLIGAN 10 Stupidly long wheelies attest to this!
My first stunter
a small increase in rake means that stability is
improved. Braking on the R is improved over the NEW RIDER 8 Then there’s the chassis, ripped Verdict 10/10
standard, and it gets radial mounted calipers. At Anyone can have a go wholesale from the 675 Daytona, Sheer brilliance from top to bottom, electronics
167kg it weighs in way under the competition, then modded towards a naked slant. schmonics, the best stays the, um, bestest!
DESIRABILITY 7
boosting it’s power to weight ratio big time. The modern LC – fact! It is also offers near perfection, and + EVERYTHING
finding flaws in one is extremely - PRICE KEEPS CREEPING UP…
NAKED MIDDLE GREATS
FAGAN’S
OPINION
I remember the original Street
Triple press launch and the initial
mileage like it was yesterday. It
saw me and Rootsy (when he
worked for the darkside) tearing
up the Tarmac around Lake
Garda in utter disbelief – just
how could something so simple
be so awesome? And Triumph's
recipe has yet to be matched.
The ST-R does everything the
others do on test, plus have
an additional 10 per cent of
sporting ability in reserve.
Granted, it's a little stiff when
matched against this lot, but it
THERE'S NOT somehow works. It'll tour, it'll
commute , it'll set epic lap times
MANY BIKES THAT at a circuit, and pull mahoosive
GENERATE SUCH wheelies. It's your one-stop-

shop to motorcycling's mecca.
A COMPELLING Al's Verdict 10/10
SYMBIOSIS... ”
GROUP TEST
TECH
DATA Honda CB650F Kawasaki Z800 Ducati Monster 821 Triumph Street Triple R
engine
Type 649cc , l/c, 16v, DOHC, inline four 806cc, l/c, 16v, DOHC, inline four 821cc Testastretta 11 degree, 8v, l/c, v-twin 675cc, liquid-cooled, 12v, inline triple
Bore x Stroke 67 x 46mm 71 x 50.9mm 88 x 67.5mm 74 x 52.3mm
Compression 11.4:1 11.9:1 12.8:1 12.65:1
Fuelling PGM-FI EFI EFI, 34mm throttle bodies Mikuni EFI, 53mm throttle bodies Electronic fuel injection
Tested Power 80bhp @ 11,000rpm 101bhp @ 10,200rpm 93bhp @ 9,250rpm 96bhp @ 12,000rpm
Tested Torque 59Nm @ 8,000rpm 77Nm @ 8,000rpm 75Nm @ 7,750rpm 62Nm @ 8,200rpm
chassis
Frame Steel diamond Tubular steel cradle Tubular steel trellis Aluminium twin-spar
F Suspension 41mm RWU fork, unadjustable 41mm USD fork, rebound and preload adj. 43mm USD Kayaba forks, non adj. 41mm USD fork, fully adjustable
R Suspension Monoshock, preload adjustable Monoshock, rebound and preload adj. Sachs monoshock, preload and rebound adj Monoshock, fully adjustable
Front Brakes Dual piston calipers, 320mm discs, ABS Four-piston calipers, 310mm discs Brembo M4.32 calipers, 320mm discs, ABS Four-piston calipers 308mm discs
Rear Brakes Single piston caliper, 240mm disc, ABS One-piston caliper, 250mm disc Two piston caliper, 245mm disc One-piston caliper, 220mm disc
dimensions
Wheelbase 1,450mm 1,445mm 1,480mm 1,395mm

Seat Height 810mm 834mm 785 – 810mm 800mm
Dry Weight 208kg (kerb) 229kg (kerb) 179.5kg 167kg
Fuel Capacity 17.3L 17L 17.5 litres 17.4L
price
Price £6,399 £7,499 (E version £6,899) £8,995 (Dark £8,795) £8,149

From Honda UK Kawasaki UK Ducati UK Fowlers of Bristol
0845 200 8000 01628 856750 00800 00 382284 01179 770466
www.honda.co.uk/motorcycles www.kawasaki.co.uk www.ducatiuk.com www.fowlers.co.uk
POWER
BHP
110
100
Highest peak power:
90 Z800 @ 101bhp
80
70
60
50
40
Dyno data supplied by:
30
20
2 4 6 8 10 12 14
rpm x 000
TORQUE
Nm
85
Highest peak torque:

80
Z800 @ 76Nm
6Nm
N
75
70
65
60
55
50
45
We'll have some
jambon with that
2 4 6 8 10 12 14 fromage, ta...
rpm x 000
NAKED MIDDLE GREATS
There's a Monster
behind me, right?
THE VERDICT
S
o then, another victory for the
British charger. Congrats, old sport!
In the past we have been accused
of bias towards the bike and manufacturer,
as their 675 based naked and supersport
machines have won test after test here.
Anybody who has ridden either of them
will know this to not be some fluke, nor
element of bias simply towards being
British. If you want proof, just go back a
few years to see what we generally thought
of Triumphs, before they sorted their shit
out – they were barely talking to us! So
there’s no real incentive for us to skew any
test towards them, the fact is plain and
simple – it’s the best bike here, and in the
entire middleweight naked class, to boot.
But what of its erstwhile challengers?
Funnily enough, while the Honda may be
the furthest away from the ST-R in terms of
talent, it could the one here to challenge it
for numbers of sales. A seriously tempting
price tag takes care of that, when combined
with the functional and decent nature of the
Alastair – pants not
bike’s performance. Add in the fact that pictured, nor worn...
most Hondas hold their value very well,
and you have a rather smart purchase on
your hands. It should run forever and rarely at making bikes of any girth handle Testing,
give you any issues, and is just exciting brilliantly. They could just as easily make testing...
enough to warrant us giving it, in this something lighter handle far better, and if
company, a very good score. they managed to chop even 30kg off, the
The Kawasaki has to do one simple Triumph may not be king of the castle any
thing to challenge the Triumph, and that’s longer. As is, however, it is a really good
lose weight. Fully wet, it is 46kg heavier machine which has been backed up by
than the Trumpet at its own kerb weight, speaking to lots and lots of very happy
and that’s way, way too much. Yes, the owners since its launch. Take a tooth off the
weight seems to help the bike, but that’s rear sprocket for a far easier time on long
more down to Kawasaki’s renowned skills trips and motorways, then you’re away.
GROUP TEST
The Ducati, meanwhile, is a terrific bike admire or lust after it.

and perhaps a class above what we have As with most things that win, we’ll
here in terms of coolness. It has the gadgets, suggest riding one if you don’t believe us,
the electronic gizmos and will be one and that still stands today. Go try out a Street
thunderous badboy if you sling some open Triple R, and if it’s possible, try it again the
pipes on it. But it’s also a compromise too following day, just to be sure. Fowlers sell
far in terms of road use, over track skills, to loads off the back of their own test rides, but
take top honours. Rightly so as it goes, for if you need any more proof, just look at the
those of a road-only persuasion, but despite way it has sold and continues to sell since its
having all the right gear it’s not as refined as release. There’s more than one good reason
the Trumpet however much we love, adore, for that, you do the maths…
№1
THANKS TO:
Fowlers of Bristol for trusting us with their spiffing Triumph Street Triple R. Check in with them for awesome flash deals
they run on their Triumphs. Also, A to the J at Ducati UK, Lamberini at Kawasaki UK, Natasha at Honda. Love you all!
FEATURE
PEAK DISTRICT
WORDS: SIMON ‘ROOTSY’ ROOTS

PICS: GARETH HARFORD
HTO S
Why does the Peak District own so many
‘dangerous’ roads? Time to investigate…
E
L
very once in a while, a motoring
organisation publishes a list of
the most dangerous roads in
Britain in a hope of some self-aggrandising
publicity. The papers take the bait and
list the top ten, then point the finger at us
bikers saying that we’re the ones to blame
without looking into the statistics other
than taking the most cursory of looks.
For as long as anyone can remember, five
out of the top ten roads in these lists belong to
the Peak District, with the A537 (the infamous
Cat and Fiddle) taking the ominous award
of the most dangerous road in Britain. The
stats that accompany these roads do indeed
look compelling when taken at face value,
Rootsy’s about to but numbers alone don’t tell the full story –
have a Fiddle... 83 per cent of people will tell you that…
True, the figures don’t look pretty, and
when we decided to go up to pay a visit
to the country’s first ever national park it
was the day after Jack Sanderson had been
prosecuted for videoing himself on his
ZX-6R crossing a set of double white lines,
avoiding a car and then disappearing into
the abyss. Forums and comment boxes were
full of vitriol for the act, and it sounded like
hanging was too good for poor old Jack –
notwithstanding the fact he’d just had the
fright of his life and totalled his bike.
So we went to see the horror for ourselves
– and found nothing but beautiful roads, with
obvious perils. So is there more going on than
bikers throwing themselves into drystone
walls? Or are other road users getting away
with it? Are the roads inherently risky? And do
the stats tell the whole story? Let’s find out…
THE A537 TAKES

THE MOST DANGEROUS
ROAD AWARD... ”
FEATURE
The A54 is one of theg

most challengin
roads out of Buxton
The menace of the

cameras is present at the
top of the A54
Corners and crests mix

gloriously at the top before it
gets tighter lower down...
Let’s start at the start, shall we?

The Peak District is packed with what
THE ENFORCER
FIONA IRESON: SAFER
we bikers would euphemistically call
cracking roads – others like to call them
ROADS DERBYSHIRE death traps. With no motorways and
In the 2013 EuroRAP report, more than hardly any dual carriageways the Peak’s
two-thirds of the crashes on our three road stock is full of single carriageway
‘persistently higher risk’ routes involved a A-roads, a wealth of B-roads and all
motorcyclist. Riders love our countryside sorts of uncategorised roads dotted
roads but too many of them are running around. These roads have an inherently
into trouble. The physical geography higher accident rate than motorways
of our county plays its part in the and trunk roads, so already the odds
challenges we face. The Derbyshire routes aren’t stacked in their favour.
categorised as ‘persistently higher risk’ Then you have to add the
are countryside roads with lots of bends topography, which presents all sorts
and hills. We use roadside signs and road of challenges for any road user. Roads wind
markings to show people the best way to get up and over hills and moors, and
to stay safe when travelling along these this is where many of the problems are
routes. As the report acknowledges, found – corners. These arcs aren’t solely
motorways are the safest British road to blame, as junctions also pose a hazard
type - but a low level of provision in our in the Peaks and are responsible for many
region means it experiences the lowest accidents, but the focus has been on the
proportion (24%) of this type of travel in corners and the trouble they can cause.
the country. Traditionally, many of the Mix this up, add some other circumstances,
motorcycle crashes in the Derbyshire simmer for 20 minutes and the Basingstoke-
countryside are caused by rider error. In based Eurorap computer (European Road Safety campaigns are
the case of urban motorcycle crashes, Assessment Programme) spits out figures one way of getting the
the blame tends to be more evenly declaring that five roads in the area are in the message through...
split between drivers and the riders top ten most dangerous in the country – with
themselves. Drivers failing to spot bikes is the Cat and Fiddle comfortably on top. police presence – the roads weren’t getting
a common problem. We use a mixture of Between 2007 and 2011 there were 44 much safer, so that’s when the Cheshire Safer
education, engineering and enforcement fatal and serious accidents on the A537, Roads Partnership spent £1.3m on a set of rear
to try to protect road users in Derbyshire. of which two thirds involved bikes. Of the facing average speed cameras in 2010. This
It’s difficult to quantify which individual total, a fifth were at junctions, another was dogged by teething troubles, but are now
activities have the most impact. fifth were head ons with a third being run functional (as of mid-2013), and can enforce
We work hard to prevent motorcycle ons – people basically running out of road. the 50mph limit between any two cameras.
crashes in Derbyshire. We offer Police statistics (collated by the UK Data But what of the roads themselves? The
discounted training to new and qualified Service) suggest that there have been eight Cat and Fiddle is a brilliant mix of corners,
riders (call 01629 538067) and help to motorcyclist deaths between 1999 and 2010. elevation, views and challenges. It’s not hard
fund a police enforcement operation Despite a number of road safety to see why it is (or was before the average
designed to protect riders on our rural improvements – signage, resurfacing and added speed cameras) so many riders’ favourite
roads during the leisure biking season.
We also run radio and newspaper
awareness campaigns and safety events. IT’S NOT HARD TO SEE WHY SO MANY
RIDERS COME A CROPPER ON THE A537... ”
PEAK DISTRICT
ond
The A5012 is the sec d
most dangerous roa Trees and lower visibility
in the UK are to blame for many
accidents...
stretch of Tarmac. Nor is it hard to see why

so many come a cropper throughout its
eight mile length. It always reminds me
of the first bit of the Mountain on the TT
course, the bit from Ramsey Hairpin to the
Gooseneck. In general the road surface is
good and the road is wide with decent vision
through many turns. The cameras stymie the
natural flow of the road now, but you can
see certain corners that you’d barrel into,
run out of room and end up on the other
carriageway – either on your bike or off it…
Once at the top, the Cat and Fiddle offers
a chance to reflect on the ride and whether it
deserves its status as the most dangerous road
in Britain. The stats are both old and somewhat
misleading, but there’s a lot that could go
FEATURE
patchy,
The A621’s record is ners...
despite fewer cor
This is the main route out of

Sheffield to the peaks, so is
naturally popular with bikers...
There are still a few areas

on the A621 where it can
all go wrong...
wrong on this ride should the stars not align. the speed cameras watching every move. judgement on speed after that.
The speed cameras put off big speed, but you That means that it’s time to push on, and the You can build up a nice rhythm
can still have a nasty on one of the slower adjacent A54 is another road with a worrying on the road that isn’t too bonkers,
corners should you lose your concentration – as reputation. The first part out of Buxton is but to go barmy on it would be to
could someone else coming the other way. brilliant – but again tarnished by the average ignore the houses, tracks, junctions,
Where the Cat and Fiddle suffers, or suffered, speed cameras along part of its route. It’s the farms, crests and closed nature of
is with its notoriety. It attracted more than sort of road that you could get sucked into very the road as it descends downhill. If
its fair share of nutters over the years, lured quickly – especially if you’ve just filled up in you’re not familiar with the yumps
by the road’s challenge and reputation. The Buxton just before turning onto the A54. After and turns then you really are best
accidents then followed and the die was cast. these twists take you up high, the road flattens, left keeping your powder dry.
But now the policing of the road has put but the 50mph limit is still in force. The cameras The third rocking road out of
many off, and those that do ride it do so with end after a few miles, so you make your own Buxton is the A5004 to Whaley
bridge – and this one is free of the
THE ADJACENT A54 IS ANOTHER ROAD WITH average speed cameras, even though it’s still
in the top ten list, sitting in ninth. It offers a
A WORRYING REPUTATION... ” tight and twisty section at the top, then a big
straight followed by more open bends towards
PEAK DISTRICT
Safety features now litter the Cat

and Fiddle, and signs on the road
are the most innocuous
The Cat and Fiddle still

offers some fun
Be prepared for
anything coming
the other way The road’s popularity
since the cameras have
gone in has waned
the bottom of the hill. It’s a wide road with good bend. But it’s not hard to envision someone
surfacing generally, and not as many crests as making a late braking manoeuvre and getting
the A54. The accidents seem to happen at the collected by substandard driving or riding.
top, on the twistier section, with three biker With Buxton ticked, it was time to head
deaths recorded between 1999 and 2010. Again, south to Matlock via the A5012 from Pikehall.
it’s easy to see how this can happen with blind This road gets a lot of traffic as it runs out of
corners and crests packed into a few miles of Matlock Baths, a village synonymous with
riding. There’s little in the way of housing up bikes. But approach it from the west side and
here, nor roads off the main one, so its easy to you struggle to understand how it makes
conclude that over enthusiasm played a part. it on the dangerous roads list. It’s largely
But riding this section also showed unspectacular in every sense until you get into
how innocent parties can get mixed up in the trees at Grangemill when the reasons for its
someone else’s mistake. A car coming the status as second most dangerous road in the UK
other way ran wide out of a turn, in a lazy start to become evident. Accidents on this road
way where a driver hasn’t ready the road are said by Eurorap to have a higher incidence
properly. I was 50 yards from it, approaching of bikers involved than even the Cat and Fiddle.
this right-hander on the left-hand side of the Beyond this point, the trees get ever closer
FEATURE
r,
The A5004 is a crackeby
POLICY MAKERS CAN’T and not blighted
average speed cam
eras
IGNORE THE STATISTICS SO

WE HAVE TO RIDE THESE
ROADS WELL... ”
THE LOCAL
CHRIS TAYLOR
Whoever the engineer was that designed
the roads in the Peaks was clearly a
motorcyclist, because the roads here are
amazing. I’ve been to more technical
places, like in Wales and the Dales, but I
find the roads in the Peaks are generally
well surfaced, open and pretty wide. And
I think that this is what sucks people
in. I’m no slouch, but I’ve seen guys But don’t see a lack
steaming past us and when you go at of cameras as a carte
blanche to go bananas...
that speed there’s not much room
for error. They tend to be
in groups of two or three, as the road runs down towards Matlock. And maybe that goes to show how difficult it
and I’ve seen them going There aren’t many out and out corners, is to predict an accident. Although it’s hard to
over double white lines in just mild twists and turns, and a lot of build a true picture of a road by using numbers
an attempt to keep up or to the road runs double white lines. This alone, the danger of any well maintained
get past a car to leave the can make overtakes a desperate affair road, like these are, is down to the users – be
corner clean. I wish they’d if you’re stuck behind something slow, them bikers or otherwise. If you could close
just hold back for 10 seconds, so you have to be certain that it’ll stick. the roads, stick up some straw bales and let
just to make sure nothing’s Matlock attracts hoards of bikers loose then they would be amazing, some
coming the other way or a car over most sunny weekends, so the of the best routes in the UK. But we have to
isn’t going to creep out from a laws of averages suggest that the share the road with everyone else; slow or
lay-by, but their balls appear to prevalence of biker accidents will fast, skilled or not, concentrating or otherwise.
be bigger than their brains. Up increase. Add this to the flow of And what would be safe speeds on a bike are
here, you’ve got to know where the road, the number of junctions made riskier by not knowing what’s round the
and when to go quickly. So you along it, reduced visibility and next corner – or indeed, what’s behind you.
can forget it if you’re going out differing road conditions and I had a blast riding up in the Peaks, I didn’t
on a sunny Saturday afternoon you can see why you have go ballistic, but it was in no way a boring
because the roads are busy and to ride this road with your guard up. ride. Any moments were generated by poor
the police are out. You’ll get car after car After surviving the A5012, our last driving around me, and Jack Sanderson
because this is the garden for two big destination was the A621 between Baslow and or someone like him could be round the
cities on either side. So we tend to get Totley. This ranks fourth in the list, and to be next corner. It doesn’t matter if it’s a bike,
up early and head off for a ride at 6 or 7 honest it’s hard to see why. The road is wide, a car or a lorry, they’re all going to hurt.
in the morning. We’re done by lunchtime vision is generally good and there’s not too Yes, the accident rate is falling and
and get the best of the place. The average much in the way of challenging corners along draconian measures are working. Talking
speed cameras have killed the Cat and the way. Two thirds of accidents involved a to some interested parties based up in the
Fiddle. You get groups of lads doing three motorcycle between 2007 and 2011 with run- Peaks, it’s clear that road users have to take
corners at a time, then they just stop to ons the most frequent cause of an accident. I responsibility for their actions. Policy makers
lower their speeds. I used to see people know the road well and other than some tight can’t ignore the statistics, nor the press
do full runs all day, but not now. stuff after the Owler Bar roundabout it’s hard they generate, so it’s down to us to lead by
to imagine anything other than rider or driver example and ride these brilliant roads well.
error being the cause of these tragic events. Do that and few can complain…
FEATURE
Blood, Sweat
WORDS: JON PEARSON
PICS: FUTURE7 MEDIA, REDBULL, JP
I COULD FEEL MY SKULL AS I PICKED

THE WOOD OUT OF MY WOUND... ”
T
he Red Bull Romaniacs Hard Enduro to everyone. On a personal level, a Romanian Like any racer, it’s my own fault of course.
is an event your mother-in-law will tree pierced my face so deeply I could feel my The Red Bull Romaniacs is an annual Extreme
never understand, what with massive skull as I picked the wood out. I hit a fence post Enduro, one of a several annual extreme events
dogs as big as your bike chasing you for a with my arm flat out in fourth so hard it blitzed that pitches riders not so much against each
mile, slopes so steep you need ropes to lower a my watch to oblivion. I smashed my knee so other, but against the terrain. The Romaniacs
bike down, crashing to slow yourself, hills so hard against a tree a cartoon-style golf ball is four days plus a ‘prologue’, which takes
tough one person in 300 manages to scale it, grew under my armour. I had a flat-out in top place over man-made obstacles and features
falling off mountain ledges where no-one can lock-to-lock tank slapper that tugged so hard a giant helter skelter, a hanging forest of fern
see you, getting lost in the fog, broken bones, it pulled my glove off. And I suffered a broken branches, a pile of boulders, a see-saw, a
nearly drowning and bears. “Why would you scaphoid. These are the more memorable 12-foot drop – that sort of thing. It’s a bit of
do that?” Good question, mother-in-law. ways the Romaniacs got me. It’s still a good fun designed to sort out a starting order for
And that was just the general stuff happening question, mother-in-law, I’ll give you that. the first day in the Carpathian mountains
ROMANIACS
and Bear
No vampires, just b
extreme madness in
ears, broken bones
an
Transylvania’s Romd five days o
aniacs event
At the sharp end, Jonny Walker

makes a break for it. Jon’s just
around the corner...
FEATURE
– as well as entertain the locals in the minutes of this before the ordeal is over.
Transylvanian town of Sibiu. From there the One of the differences in an international
event heads out into the mountains for four event like the Romaniacs is getting to the start
days of sadistic and relentless hard work. line first place. Obviously it’s a long way to
It’s difficult to put just how tough the Romania, and there’s a massive entry fee to
Romaniacs gets out in the mountains into some worry about, but a similar one day event in the
sort of context for a sportsbike rider, but I’ll UK is easy to enter with a rock up and ride vibe.
give it a go. Imagine setting off from the Brands The Romaniacs needs an international licence
Hatch start line and then as you get to the top from the ACU, for a start, which needs a full
of Paddock Hill the Tarmac drops away so medical, which in turn isn’t cheap. You can’t do There’s no points off
steeply that you physically can’t ride down it. it half arsed because you might as well throw for a dab here...
You have to stop, get off your bike and slide the your money down the river; you’ve got to be fit
bike sideways down, all while trying to stop it and your bike has to be in good nick too. The Who put
that there?
accelerating itself into a crumpled mess at the regulations require every competitor has a GPS
bottom. Then, when you get to the bottom of (to check you’re not cutting the course as much
the hill (which has grown by about 100 times, as a guide), survival blankets, a mirror to attract
by the way), the run back up to Druids is so attention from helicopters, a flare pack to attract
slippery and steep you have to zig-zag your attention or to scare bears, a torch, a lighter
way up a few feet at a time. Or the other option and all the spares and spanners you think you
is basically to carry it up. Oh, and the hill is need to fix a bike miles from civilization.
probably a mile high, so all this will take you Small crashes are inevitable, so replacing a
an absolute age and every ounce of energy you broken clutch or gear lever is a not uncommon
have. Sometimes, with a bit of confidence, those repair. One crash that’s easy to do and is
downhills are rideable, but they can quickly constantly on your mind is dropping off the
get out of hand leaving you with no option but high trails that run along the mountain top
to deliberately crash to save yourself from a ridges down and out of sight. Tracks regularly
certain death by tree. You can try and use the tip-toe along narrow mountain ridges which
trees to slow yourself down, but it’s a tactical are dead easy to just get wrong. Hit a rock or
risk – hence the close shave with my eye. tree root and chuck yourself off the side, and
Think I’m exaggerating? I’m not. These you may not hurt yourself, but it could be a
are the norms in ‘The World’s Toughest Hard real pickle to get out of. It happened to another
Enduro Rallye’ as the crazy ass organisers of the supreme Brits taking part this year,
like to call it. The Romaniacs is established Eurotek KTM rider Paul Bolton. The working
among the Extreme Enduro events around class hero and professional northern road
the world as the toughest multi-day event sweeper eventually finished fourth but proved
because of all the above, mixed among hours mishaps happen to even those at the front.
AFTER TRYING TO GET THROUGH A ROCKY

STREAM BED, YOU SUCK AIR FROM YOUR DRINK
PACK THAT RAN DRY AN HOUR AGO... ”
and hours of relentless riding the trail up For my part, I entered the event having
and down the epic Carpathian Mountains. hankered after it for years. While I knew
Toughest of all are the half dozen or nothing of how hard it would be, at times
so technical sections each day. These are I must admit the ‘hard’ part is what made
deliberately put in by the organisers to turn me want to do it. I work part time for Simon
life into one massive bastard. Miles long, Pavey’s Off Road Skills BMW training school
these sections are killers; long uphills through in Wales and because Simon’s wife Linley
trees that you have to piece together like a ‘always wanted to go Romania’ I entered along
rock climber, all the time being dangerously with their son Llewelyn, and got ourselves into
close to slipping down where you’ve climbed the van and trekked off across to Romania.
from like some kind of very real snakes and Romania, if you haven’t been there, is a step
ladders game with rocky cliffs and bears. It away from the rest of Europe. As you travel
can be ridiculously hairy at times on those across from Northern Europe down through
turns where you’re switching back on France, Belgium, Holland, Germany and
yourself, balanced in first gear on the clutch Austria things start to change by the time you
with just a knife-edge of grip at the back and hit Hungary – but Romania is a step again. Not
the front wanting to come over your head. quite yet a member of the European Union,
The steadily climbing rocky streambeds things get a bit lower rent when you cross the
are another strength-sapping nightmare. border. That’s not a criticism, by the way, it’s
Constantly shifting rocks that won’t let you get just notable that so many houses are crumbling
going, but demand you must to get anywhere, and I’m not used to seeing enormous Eastern
they’re a vicious circle of strength-sapping Block buildings looming on the horizon
impossibility. After ten minutes of this you’re looking fit to power half of Russia, but turning
shattered, sucking air from your drink pack out to be utterly empty as you get close.
that ran dry an hour ago. You’re ready to kill The Romaniacs is based in a little town I’d like a Red Bull
the world. But you’ve still got another 20 with some great places to eat, and for my now please
ROMANIACS
Weeeeeeeee!
The lift was out

of action...
I’m sure I saw a sign

somewhere...
It’s like a wooden

Paddock Hill...
The two titans of the

sport, Jonny Walker
and Graham Jarvis
FEATURE
Hands up if you’ve got a

entry package I slept in an Ibis is a full-time professional and broken scaphoid...
hotel with WiFi and everything! a proper athlete taking the
But the event kicks out the town sport forward and earning a
every day and heads into rural decent living from it to boot.
Romania, which is very rural and The difference between the men
like stepping back in time. It’s not at the top of this sport and those
into a time I know anything about, you might watch on Sunday TV,
either. Two nights are spent away if I might be so bold as to put a
in the depths of the mountains, few MotoGP, WSB and BSB riders
one of which is in a giant former down for a mo, is that Extreme
ski resort built with God knows Enduro demands riders are decent
how much money from Lord bike mechanics. They have to be
The Romaniacs can drive a
knows where, but which now rider to tears – and beers to keep the show rolling when
sits entirely empty for 364 days you chuck your bike upside down
a year until the Romaniacs hits in a river or bend a disc on a
town. It’s enormous; sprawling and terribly mountain miles from anywhere. No factory
run down with cracks in walls, shagged beds technician is going to pop out of the grass
with itchy blankets and sofas with holes in that when you develop a problem miles deep into a
stink so bad you don’t want to sit on them. Transylvanian forest. There’s no walking away
In my room, at least, five minutes of brown from your bike with your hands in the air here.
water came out of the pipes before the clear By now I’m guessing I’ve made the case for
stuff came through for a dribbly waist-height how hard it is to race the Romaniacs, but I also
shower. This was a long way from home... want you to know how absolutely awesome
Which all feels a bit crap when you’re it is at the same time. OK, so riding with a
knackered. You end each day utterly exhausted, busted scaphoid from a minor tip off in the
so some decent food, a comfortable night and prologue made it a massively painful job for
a shower are really high up the order. Some the four days that followed, but some of the
people are camping out and all I can think is riding is just so pure and perfect. There’s stuff
they’re harder than I am. Hours and hours of that you can’t experience hardly anywhere else
maximum effort each day leave you ready to eat in the world – and definitely not in the UK.
like a dog. Hungry like I’ve rarely been before, There’s loads of those hard bits, but there
it’s at this point you realise the value of having are loads of great bits too that go on for miles
some help. You get off your bike walking like and miles. The event takes its toll physically,
a buckled wheel, hands still clamped in a grip- as professional Northerner Paul Bolton put
shape and utterly exhausted. So a van and some it, “You spend all week totally focused on
smiling faces to come back to, a place to sit after the race – jacked up on energy bars, protein
so many hours standing on the footrests, some shakes and boxes of painkillers.” But you
of last night’s pasta to wolf down and a recovery come out of it feeling, well, absolutely
THERE’S LOADS OF HARD BITS, BUT THERE

ARE LOADS OF GREAT BITS TOO... ”
drink or two put into your hand (which hit mega, as road racers are good at saying.
your system like drugs) is massively valuable. By the way, those massive dogs are employed
Romaniacs is like other annual Extreme by mountain farmers to look after their flocks
Enduros (Hell’s Gate, Erzbergrodeo, Sea to by day and night. Not so much as herders, you Where you literally
Sky, Roof of Africa, Battle of the Vikings, understand, but to save their animals from sign your life away...
many of which are Red Bull sponsored) bears. I don’t know if they thought I was a bear
in having a collection of hardened bikers or it was just sport to them, but it sure as hell
travelling the world chasing a challenge. Of made my get a lick on, broken scaphoid or not.
those, the Erzberg is the hardest single day’s As for the bears, the organisers warn you
riding, they say, while the Romaniacs ranks about them with a look in their eyes which says
as the toughest multi-day event and it attracts if you see one, run. Which again proves they
the best of the booming sport’s riders. are sadistic. They make it compulsory to carry
Names like Graham Jarvis, the established flares though, and it all seemed like a load of
king of Extreme Enduro, hails from Kent and bear shit until day three when I slog my way
is a factory Husqvarna rider. Big name stars in to the top of ‘Expert Killer’ – their name for a
the sport like Poland’s Taddy Blazusiak and hellish hill designed to kill me. It’s there that
Manxman David Knight were not competing I see fresh claw marks as high as my head up
this year, but the growing star of the sport is a tree trunk. I’m no David Attenborough but
a young Cumbrian, Jonny Walker and it was these were clearly made by a big animal with
he who took the win from Jarvis in 2014. big claws, and there were plenty of marks.
Factory Red Bull KTM rider Walker has made I was guessing that they go to that tree for a
his mark this year stepping up his game with regular scratch. I suddenly caught my second
wins at the Erzberg – and now the Romaniacs. wind and got the hell out of there. The moral
In the traditional ‘back-of-the-van’ world of the story is mother-in-laws don’t know
of off-road racing, full-time professionals what they’re talking about – and bears do
are few. But make no mistake Jonny Walker make you shit yourself in the woods.
ROMANIACS
This is fun according

to the organisers...
The Romaniacs is bad

for your health – just
look at them...
Time for a celebration

selfie on the podium
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PHOTOGRAPHY: JESS MODEL: JOEY FISHER

FEATURE
WORDS: AL ASTAIR FAGAN PICS: JONNY GAWLER
KTM 1190 ADVENTURE R

Adventure
The war between these great biking powers continues, and spreads here into the
adventure market. This competition has turned the class very fruity indeed...
A
dventure bikes have come a long way models favouring Tarmac are being released
in recent years. We wouldn’t have – like the new Suzuki V-Strom. Launched in a
been seen dead on one until recently, whirlwind of marketing hype, Suzuki spent a
because when you tried to ride one hard, gazillion yen on an augmented reality app to
ending up dead might have been the final sell it. To be fair, it’s been a while since Suzuki
outcome. Now manufacturers have launched a model with any significance, so
slowly realised that 99 per cent why not splash the cash. Talking of money,
of adventure riders just want at £13,799, the KTM 1190 Adventure R
big tanks, comfort, demands a big chunk of it, but it’s true to the
and won’t venture firm’s off-road history, and adds a gigantic
off-road, so hybrid dollop of badass. With 131bhp and lots of
electronics, the 1190 offers a real adventure...
SUZUKI V-STROM 1000

FEATURE
JAPAN VERS
styling and
design
Panniers? Check. Beak-like front-end?
Check. Bloody massive/tall seat?
Check. Both bikes earn good points
for typecasting the adventure way.
Although the pair come with 19-inch
and 21-inch front wheels, 99 per cent
will never see a B-road, let alone a dirt
track. I can only assume the handguards
on the KTM are there for bashing
wing mirrors rather than trees...
If we’re talking pure adventure styling
DNA, the KTM walks this sector. In fact,
the KTM takes it anyway. The attention
to detail is superb and the engineers in
Mattighofen have somehow managed
to make a dreary adventure shape
look sharp and aggressive. The colours
also help the KTM’s aesthetics.
It looks like Suzuki’s designers
worked hard on the frontal area of
the V-Strom, including the tank, but
forgot about the rest of it. Apparently,
they took inspiration from the
1988 DR750S, which was Suzuki’s
first big dual-purpose machine.
The ’Strom has a more naked
bike approach, less plastic Dakar
paraphernalia/tit-tat and alloy
spoked wheels, less protection.
Even the screen is smaller.
The KTM’s bash plate also kids onlookers
into thinking you might actually be a
Dakar raider, although the orange crash
bars might actually have a practical
application. Extra points got to KTM
for the spotlights, mounted halfway up
DON’T KID YOURSELF,
the fork, yet loses a point for the cost of THESE BIKES LIKE OPEN
ROADS THE BEST...”
the Touratech panniers – over £1,000.
SUZUKI 7/10
KTM 9/10
suspension and ride

Don’t kidyourself, this pair enjoy fast, the road.And, if for some strange reasonyou
open roads the most. Asyou edge over decide to take any adventure bike away from
legal speeds, the KTM can become a little Tarmac, theAdventure would be first choice
unstable with the bars innocently meandering here by a country mile.The WP suspension
from left to right and back again. Nothing is immensely soft and pliable, offering
dangerous, but it highlights the rear-end almost motocross levels of plushness.
favouritism of the bike, so that its name It doesn’t hinder the steering either, as it
becomes more relevant as soon asyou press feels sharper than theV-Strom.The bars
on.And anything tighter than 90-degree are big and wide, offering huge amounts of
bends deserves some caution, although leverage, and the 1190 dances across any
there’s oodles of feedback. It definitely surface briskly with just a whiff of input.
prefers having both bum cheeks planted on The Suzuki remains planted and assured,
the seat, rather than any aggressive input. whateveryou chuck at it, although there isn’t
This is where theV-Strom leaves the 1190 the bump management of the orange bus.
Adventure. It feels far more planted than The 21-inch rim fitted to the Adventure
the KTM, with a more neutral stance scuppers sporting pedigree and rivals
and a stiffer, road-biased suspension like the Multistrada will disappear, not to
set-up.There’s less weight transfer and mention limit any sportier rubber choice.
the Suzuki is happy churning out triple
figure speeds on wide open roads.
Saying that, with my Captain Sensible hat very SUZUKI 9/10
briefly on, the KTM makes a mockery of any KTM 9/10
bump, jump, dead body or gaping chasm in
SUS EUROPE JAPAN VS EUROPE
BIKE BATTLE
Up she goes...
Pannier sliders are

nearly required...
bells and
whistles
To be fair to both bikes, they’re
packed with all the latest gizmos
and electronics. The rider aids aren’t
necessarily performance-enhancing
aids or highside-savers, but they’re
not the bad aids that hinder riding,
which is the main thing. You can leave
the ABS on without running into a
corner or it intruding on the fly.
Although we purposely didn’t try to crash
this bike, the 2014 range of Adventures
come with Bosch’s new MSC system,
riding position and ergonomics which basically stops you crashing under
braking, anytime, anywhere. The 1190
also comes furnished with traction
I’m either precisely the wrong height to quoted seat heights feels much greater. control, anti-wheelie, heated grips, and
ride an adventure bike, or adventure bikes You can see yourself stood up on the KTM, the TPMS (Tyre Pressure Monitoring
are badly designed. Both screens produce attacking sand dunes, very much like System) is also pretty handy for lazy
horrendous wind noise and buffeting to Stéphane Peterhansel – only in a much buggers. The KTM’s only negative is the
the helmet above 60mph – hardly ideal for crashier fashion. The Suzuki offers a far tedious manner in which you have to
long journeys. After five miles of my eyes more conventional approach, like a more toggle through your required settings
threatening to vibrate from their sockets relaxed naked bike. The bars are thinner, every time the engine stops running.
and ears resonating to smithereens, I gave closer to the torso and slightly more natural. Although less complex, the V-Strom’s
in and rode like the hunchback of Bath, The V-Strummer also boasts an adjustable dash is harder to read, digest and
shielding my head in a racy posture. And seat, that lowers by 30mm or grows by understand. Like the KTM, the Suzuki’s
when you attempt to peer through the top 35mm. I’d be happy with another 35mm. electronics aren’t intrusive, and only
of the screens, it’s like looking through Eddie Aren’t there pills for that? The KTM’s dirt or sodden conditions will trigger.
‘The Eagle’ Edwards’ jam jars. Rant over. bars and pegs are also adjustable.
Abnormally short pilots, or anyone under
6ft, will struggle with the KTM. It’s a SUZUKI 8/10 SUZUKI 8/10
tippy-toe operation even for my regular
height. The 40mm difference between KTM 8/10 KTM 10/10
FEATURE
JAPAN VERS
engine
The adventure bike handbook states
that it must feature a v-twin motor.
In engine terms, if the Suzuki was a
Galaxy chocolate bar, the KTM would be
a chilly choc with popping candy – and
loads of nuts. It’s bloody ridiculous.
The Austrian firm’s ‘Ready to Race’
mantra is evident on the entire range,
not just on the fully-faired brethren.
With the electronic nasties turned off
(don’t get me started) you can’t help but
loft the front wheel. The throttle works
both ways and the 1190 can be ridden
relatively smoothly, but the motor’s
entire range is littered with lashings
of lairy power. The 1190’s attitude is
livened by shorter gearing, too, but
it’s a pain in the cock at the bottom of
the revs, struggling to fuel perfectly.
Come to think of it, the panniers
might have an imperative function.
Lofting the KTM’s front wheel at any
opportunity is part of its forte. To the
untrained eye of a copper, panniers are
a sure fire Gareth klaxon, so you might
get away with hoisting mingers. The
KTM’s slipper clutch is a useful addition
and takes the edge off corner entry.
The Suzuki’s effort is a little lethargic in
comparison; smoother, slower and less
angry, which will please some. Granted,
the V-Strom is missing 150cc, but the
delivery is serene for a big-bore v-twin
and very linear, although the top half of
the power gets a kicking at 6,000rpm.
It’s also massively more accommodating THE SUZUKI IS SMOOTHER,
at slower speeds than the KTM, yet
doesn’t wheelie in third gear (points off). SLOWER AND LESS ANGRY,
SUZUKI 8/10 WHICH WILL PLEASE SOME...”
KTM 9/10
day to day fuelling and throttle response

In terms of day to day running, both are Gearbox wise, both aren’t fault free Given the KTM’s ballsy powerplant (and idle, wheelies have to make sense. As
comfortable and easy to ride, but the Suzuki although still positive in function. There’s the fact it’s a KTM), it’s no shock that the the motor spins faster, the throttle gets
edges it with a wider parameter of everyday quite a bit of movement in the Suzuki’s Adventure is far livelier. The Austrian firm’s sharper. It’s a pain in the cock when very
usability and a less aggro outlook on life. lever and we experienced a double shift ride-by-wire system has evolved into cold, and is prone to stalling here.
Rather than trying to wheelie its tits off, the between second and third gears. throttle refinement, rather than the last Mirroring the motor’s attitude, the Suzuki’s
’Strom is far easier to pilot at most speeds, The KTM’s ’box, like most of the bike, is generation of poorly executed models, but throttle is soft and compliant at every part
in most environments, and welcomes a far sharp and abrupt, and harder on the toe. it’s still lively and snappy in comparison. of the rev range, not to mention constant in
broader spectrum of rider skill, and height. Just make sure you remember the panniers So long as gear selection is right, you know its action. There isn’t the wrist to rear wheel
The V-Strom is also handier in town, thanks are fitted before attempting any filtering. The you’re alive as soon as you touch the gas. connectivity of the KTM but it’s certainly
to a smoother motor at the bottom and more (optional extra) Touratechs on the KTM are You get a choice of rider and power less intimidating. 10-hole injectors fire in
fluid controls, although the KTM’s levers feel easy to remove and fit again, but can be an modes, with ‘Rain’ mode culling the juices seamlessly, while Suzuki claim
newer and more accepting on the hands. utter fist in town. The Suzuki is much sleeker power to 100bhp. ‘Street’ softens the 60mpg is a possibility, but is less in reality
Although the KTM has a larger tank and more adept at filtering, and much quieter! response but allows full power, and as it’s a struggle to push through the wind.
(23L to the V-Strom’s 20L), and is ‘Sport’ lets you have the full monty.
apparently more economical than its SUZUKI 9/10 The Adventure’s throttle is light and SUZUKI 9/10
predecessor, the 1190 R is much thirstier responsive, and mated to the 100Nm
and gets through its extra gas sooner. KTM 7/10 of torque that’s instantly on tap from KTM 8/10
SUS EUROPE JAPAN VS EUROPE
BIKE BATTLE
price and value

for money
Forget looks for a second, because at
nearly £4k less, the V-Strom is way
more financially more appealing.
Then again, it looks cheaper. The
switchgear and dash look like they’ve
been snatched from the parts bin,
and the cockpit looks drastically
aged in comparison with the KTM.
The 1190’s build quality and finish is
superior in most areas. It’s another
The V-Strom enjoys fast
notch or ten on the Suzuki. There’s
flowing corners more... a real sense that you’re getting a big
bang for your big buck when forking
out on the KTM, as it’s brimming with
fancy technology and cool features.
Performance per pound, the KTM walks
it, but when we’re talking adventure bike
etiquette and real world capabilities,
the Suzuki starts to make sense.
At under £10k, it’s a bargain,
and its power and off-road
deficiencies rarely matter.
And Suzuki’s PCP scheme is a winner.
A rough calculator suggests there’s
an initial deposit of £2,228, and
47 repayments of £121, leaving
a final repayment of £4,232.
KTM’s finance deals include a 0
per cent option, with a deposit of
£6,899 and 23 monthly payments
of £287. There’s also an 1190
Adventure-only option with varying
APRs depending on loan duration.
The major service interval for the KTM
is 15,000km (9,300 miles), so you’ll
have to conquer a few Dakar rallies
before ripping the engine apart.
SUZUKI 10/10
The Adventure is
KTM 8/10
strangely rear biased...
radio rental? braking

Like many European bikes, the 1190 the torque curve meets the power, even the An adventure bike without ABS is like Both bikes brag excellent braking power.
Adventure R carries some intrinsic DNA dyno looks mental, sorry, radio rental. a sandwich without butter, but it’s also The KTM’s radial Brembos and super-soft
shared in the KTM range. In simple terms, There isn’t an ounce of filth installed in the handy to have the option of turning off the set-up mean there’s plenty of weight
the 1190 is ruddy bloody bonkers and V-Strom. Rarely does it step out of line, throw party-pooper. A KTM without switchable transfer and dive. Halting the V-Strom is a
makes adventure bikes bearable, while the any shapes, or threaten in any form, and the ABS is like a sandwich without bread, so far more stable and confidence inspiring
V-Strom is a teddy bear. If the Super Duke downfall is its sub-100bhp power output on needless to say the 1190 is our preference. affair. The Tokicos don’t brag the initial bite
R was your bike, the Adventure R would sit the dyno. I felt like a fraudster wheelieing the The Adventure R uses Bosch’s 9ME modulator of the KTM’s Brembos but the stopping
nicely in your Dad’s or Grandad’s garage. ’Strom, but she does float nicely on the quiet. and with it, a combined braking system. power is clearly evident. Suzuki claims the
Part of the radio rental (we can’t say mental It’s so stable, I thought there might be Every time the front brake is applied, V-Strom’s ABS frequency monitors depend
anymore) manners is down to the lively a horse and Zara Phillips inside. The the clever little black box supplies a little on speed, taking wheels speeds, throttle
handling and instability, although the crux Suzuki also loses points for not having rear brake for balance – not that you can position, crank position and gear position
of it is down to the engine and its ballistic skid capabilities thanks to the ABS. feel it. An ‘off-road’ setting allows rear into consideration. Difficult to split, but skids
traits. Any bike that does 150mph, looks It’s hard to go bonkers on a bike so sensible. wheel lock (aka skids), and the KTM’s are important, and the Bosch MSC sneaks it.
as unassuming as it does, and whose front levers are way more accommodating.
wheel grasps the sky in fourth gear at any SUZUKI 8/10 Meanwhile, the Suzuki’s ABS is a SUZUKI 8/10
chance deserves big points. The dyno says permanent fixture. The system isn’t that
130bhp but should read much more. When KTM 10/10 intrusive but skids are always good. KTM 9/10
FEATURE
JAPAN VS EUROPE
BIKE BATTLE
SUZUKI V-STROM £9,999 KTM 1190 ADVENTURE R £13,799
engine
engine
The redesigned 1,037cc motor is a 90-degree Highlights The 1,195cc lump is that of the RC8R’s, but Highlights
twin. Inside, new pistons boast optimised rigidity Based on 1988 DR750 retuned for the Adventure. It uses four-valve By name, by nature
and weight, and feature thinner piston rings with All the toys heads and KTM engineers have gone to town, Bosch MSC
15 per cent less tensile force for lower friction. with twin plug ignition (spark plugs are different
The cylinder heads have also been fettled to Road-biased sizes) for emissions and consumption, flow- Über naughty
accommodate twin-spark ignition, and the 20L tank optimised ducts and DLC-coated cam followers. TC, ABS, TPMS, WTF
cylinders themselves reduce friction and improve 228kg Forged pistons do the sucking and blowing, with 217kg
heat transfer.The SET (Suzuki ExhaustTuning) 89bhp a super-short design, and all pistons skirts are 131bhp
exhaust features an ECM-controlled butterfly. hard anodised.There’s also a slipper clutch.
TRACK 2 TRACK 3
It’ll end in tears Only a bit slower than RC8
chassis
chassis
The frame is 13 per cent lighter then the old The frame itself is a chrome-molybdenum
bike, with changes to rigidity balance to improve
FAST ROAD 8 steel tubular structure, weighing only 9.8kg,
FAST ROAD 7
Stable and assured Avoid big lean....
handling.There’s also a new subframe.The plus the additional orange crash bars. It
V-Strom uses 43mm KYB forks and shock, HOOLIGAN 3 features laser-cut tubes for perfect clearances, HOOLIGAN 8
She’s a big softy and the welds are robot jobs. KTM-owned Turn off electronics, wheelie away
while the wheels are 10-spoke made from
cast aluminium.The windscreen has nine NEW RIDER 5 WP suspension (what else) looks after each NEW RIDER 2
different positions and was designed in a See above – newbie heaven end, and comes with 220mm of travel. The Too big, too naughty
windtunnel – probably by Frankie Dettori. DESIRABILITY 4 Adventure R’s wheels favour off-road riding DESIRABILITY 5
Brakes areTokico monoblocks, with ABS. Montego Countryman – meh with a 21-inch front and an 18-inch rear. Take it or leave it
TECH DATA
POWER &TORQUE
130
Highest peak torque:
BHP
120
KTM @ 112Nm
engine
Type 1,037cc, v-twin, liquid-cooled 1,195cc, v-twin, liquid-cooled

110
Bore x Stroke 100 x 66mm 105 x 69mm Highest peak power:
100 KTM @ 131bhp
Compression 11.3:1 12.5:1
Electronic fuel injection 90
Fuelling Electronic fuel injection
Tested Power 89bhp @ 8,100rpm 131bhp @ 8,800rpm 80
Tested Torque 91Nm @ 4,000rpm 112Nm @ 7,000rpm 70
60
chassis
Frame Aluminium beam Chrome molybdenum tubular

WP USD fork, fully adj 50
F Suspension USD fork, fully adj
R Suspension Monoshock, preload adj WP shock, fully adj 40
Front Brakes Four-piston calipers, 310mm discs Four-piston calipers, 320mm discs 4 6 8 10
Rear Brakes Single-piston caliper, 260mm disc Twin-piston caliper, 267mm disc rpm x 000
price dimensions
Wheelbase 1,555mm 1,580mm

Seat Height
Kerb Weight
850mm
228kg
890mm
230kg
VERDICT
The Suzuki is a decent bike. But it’s likeable, not
Fuel Capacity 20L 23L lovable, and is severely bland when pitched against
the KTM. However, The Rider Cup is a chance for
Price £9,999 £13,799
redemption, so the V-Strom scores impressively.
From Suzuki GB KTM UK If mile munching on a budget is your sole
www.suzuki-gb.co.uk www.ktm.com/gb requirement, the V-Strom ticks all the boxes.
Like all KTMs, the 1190 drags you to the edge of
hell and back again, with the devil on your shoulder
results
kicking and screaming all the way, urging naughty
83 POINTS 86 POINTS antics. Adventure bikes are dull and boring, and
then there’s the KTM 1190 Adventure R...
JAPAN 4 - 6 EUROPE
The day job...
INTERVIEW
TEN MINUTES WITH…

keith Don’t I know yo
from 1992? u
We’re going racing, we’ve
flint
got to want to win.
Why else are you doing it? There was nothing
better than at the Ulster when Steve was in the
top five, that’s fucking exciting. Whereas when
things haven’t gone so well, it’s more of a
fingers-crossed and hope approach, and I don’t
want to go racing like that. I want to do it
gentlemanly, and sportingly as a fellow racer,
but I do want to get on that podium. I’ve
imagined a podium at the TT before we got
there, and I welled up just thinking about it.
The Prodigy frontman loves his bikes and now fronts a race team... You can never sum up passion and desire and
the want to do it. People ask me, ‘why are you
doing this, you’re not even riding’, and I don’t
INTERVIEW: FAGAN I bought a big motorhome with a garage. think people understand. I’m a nomadic person
PIC S: IOMT T.COM/FB A RCHI V E We were all set for the TT. The drivers then that likes to change from scenario to scenario,
said it’s got too much of an overhang to get from racetrack to racetrack, from venue to
I’ve been a biker for years but I’m still doing onto the boat, so I lost my absolute fucking venue, and that somehow fuels me. But around
the music. balls on that and had to buy a lorry. I thought, that has to be something incredibly exciting.
We’ve got a new album coming out next year. ‘let’s not get into a motorhomey, hybrid,
So I’m still working, but when we’re in the multi-use thing’. We need the tools for all the I thanked Steve Mercer for letting us be a
recording period we have a bit of downtime, jobs and we need to do it right. part of his TT.
which gave me time for racing and trying out There are only so many jockeys that can pedal
with the Hottrax endurance series. It’s something I enjoy doing. round. You can’t just pick someone up and
I love being in the team. It reflects very much throw them on a bike, it’s so specialist, and the
We got fourth in the first year. in being in the band. I like that environment - riders are so specialist. Steve is so punk rock the
Me and Ben Neeves (brother of the notorious I’m not a solo player. People say that racing is way he takes no prisoners, he takes no shit. But
Michael Neeves) won it in the next year, and quite solitary in some respects, that a racer is he’s polite, funny, and an awesome character.
then we went up to National level. My work quite a solitary creature, but when I did But when it comes to racing a motorbike, he’s
started again so I knew I couldn’t commit to it, endurance racing it was very team-like. driven beyond madness.
but I had a determination to win it and wanted
to go back. I could see there was a bit of I’m actually quite a gentle character...
history; I’d ridden, the guys had seen me race
back in the day, there were two bikes and
I LOVE THE ROADS Well, when I’m not doing stuff like racing or
doing the band. That’s why I like to light up
riders, all the bits that go with it and I was
sorting absolutely everything out so Ben and
FOR WHAT THEY when I get on stage, or get on a bike, or part of
the team. It lights my fire...
Steve Mercer could just turn up and ride. And
then I realised that we were trying to win it. I
STAND FOR. WE HAVE
was running the team in that I was ordering
the tyres, doing everything bar the spannering.
TO HOLD ON TO THE
I had the people who did all the hotels and
race entries, and I did all the workshop stuff,
SPORT PRECIOUSLY...
running the bikes down to Crescent.
At first I was a little humbled in the BSB
I’d done three years of racing with Hottrax. paddock.
I had that determination to win the nationals Because I was a newcomer, and having James
and I suddenly saw a picture where I was Rispoli. He’s not British, people can’t relate to
gaining the right to enter another paddock, him personally through the UK scene. I just
there’s a little bit of heritage behind me. wanted it to become a successful year, a safe
year, a good foundation for what’s to come.
Steve Mercer was riding for us . You can’t enter anything new and know all of
And that naturally took us straight into the TT the tricks of the trade. You can’t have all the
paddock and onto the roads. I love the roads. I T’s crossed and the I’s dotted.
love the roads for what the sport stands for. I
love the fact we have to hold onto the sport I know the foundation of the team is very
preciously, because if it was ever to stop, it strong.
would never start again. It’s a very precious I’ve got good people. I could not do this
thing. And even more so with the riders. I also without Grant and Paul, it just wouldn’t
love the ballsiness and the bravery of the happen. It’s a massive job, there’s a lot of
riders, and I love the mental challenge, and the financial implications, but that doesn’t mean a
TT dreaming...
actual mechanical challenge of it. shit unless you’ve got a good team.
OUR LIFE ON BIKES
MASTERCLASS
Staff Bikes................................102
Riding ...................................................88 It’s been another busy month for the fleet, with plenty of action on
the roads and in the workshop. Plus we say hello to another termer!
We love lean. But can there be too much of a good thing here?
Kawasaki ZX-6R Ducati Panigale KTM 1290 Super Duke R BMW
Technical.......................................90 S 1000 R Triumph Street Triple R Yamaha MT-09 Suzuki GSX-R750
We pop down to JHS Racing to get our bearings...
Legal .......................................................93 Project Bike .......................... 113

You go and get your bike washed and end up with it ruined. Who pays? Rootsy finally sorts out the problems with the ZX-6R, gets some
fancy wheels fitted and then goes to start it...
YOUR LIFE ON BIKES
USED BUYER’S GUIDE
Chatter .............................................94 Honda CB1000R...................82
All your anecdotes and crazy stories from another month on Planet FB.
The premise of a naked Fireblade was a beauty, but did Honda turn
Tracks and Travel.......96 everything down too much in making the CB1000R? Probably. But
that doesn’t stop it being a brilliant road bike, as we see here...
Where to go on your bike and which tracks to go and have a blast on!
WORDS: JON URRY PICS: FB ARCHIVE
A naked Fireblade? What’s

In 2008 Honda promised to banish memories of the dull Hornet 900 with
the CB1000R – a naked Fireblade with bags of spirit. Or so they said…
2008 – CURRENT: HONDA CB1000R
B
efore the CB1000R hit the
streets, the two-wheeled
world was pretty excited
about a new naked from Honda. After
a few horror shows where efforts to
‘re-tune’ sportsbike motors resulted
in them having all their life sucked
out, the CB1000R promised to deliver
a far more spirited ride. Could Honda
be trusted to hold firm on their pledge
price guide: £4,800 - £9,000
this time? Cheapest private: £4,800
Initially the signs were good. 11,700 miles, 2008 model, recently serviced,
Despite the term ‘re-tune’ being totally standard bike.
thrown about, the 2007 Fireblade
Our choice private: £4,950
engine still made 123bhp with a 8,500 miles, white 2008 bike with heated grips
pretty impressive 99Nm of torque. and a fly screen. Fresh MOT.
This might have been a few ponies
down on the 155bhp and 105Nm the Cheapest dealer: £4,695
sportsbike produced, but for 16,817 miles, black 2008 bike in excellent
traditionally safe Honda this was condition.
seriously pushing the boat out. And Our choice dealer: £5,195
the same could be said for the styling. 11,152 miles, very clean green 2008 model with
Inspired by Kawasaki’s mental ABS and FSH.
Z1000 range and
Yamaha’s Ex-demo: £8,250
2014 model with Leo Vince exhaust, R&G crash
bungs and just 268 miles on the clock.
aggressive FZ1, Honda abandoned

the traditional rounded 1990s Hornet
look and went to town with the CB. A
singlesided swingarm, low exhaust,
sharp bodywork and bizarre front
light all made the CB1000R stand out
from the crowds. The dodgy green
paint (technically dragon green),
highlighted the CB for different
reasons, but at least the white bike
demonstrated that this new naked
from Honda could be made to look
impressively cool. The potential was
certainly all there, however the ride
wasn’t quite and very quickly buyers
realised that once again Honda had
Loves a bit of this... played it safe. Or were we just being
too harsh on the CB1000R?
not to like?
...and this, too!
USED BIKE GUIDE HONDA CB1000R
engine
Type 998cc, liquid-cooled, 16v, inline four Xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
xxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Bore x Stroke 75 x 56.5mm
Compression 11.2:1
Fuelling Electronic fuel-injection
Tested Power 123bhp @ 10,000rpm
Tested Torque 99Nm @ 7,700rpm
chassis
Frame Aluminium backbone

F Suspension 43mm inverted forks, fully adjustable
R Suspension Monoshock, preload/rebound adjustable
Front Brakes Four-piston radial calipers, 310mm discs
Rear Brakes Two-piston caliper, 256mm disc
dimensions
Wheelbase 1,445mm
Seat Height 825mm
Dry Weight 217kg
Fuel Capacity 17-litres
0-60 3.07 sec

speed
0-100 6.77 sec

60-100 10.14 sec
Stg ¼ Mile 11.16 sec @ 121.47mph
Standing Mile 31.33 sec @ 140.20mph
Top Speed 142mph
EXTRAS
Honda sell a stack of official extras for the CB1000R
including screens, huggers, undertrays and crash
protectors. If possible, buy a bike with Honda
aftermarket parts fitted as the fit and colour matching
is far better than on items from third party firms.
HPI
Honda has recently been running a series of finance
incentives on the CB1000R in an effort to shift stock.
If you are looking at buying a newer bike, always get
an HPI check done to ensure there is no outstanding
finance.
ECCENTRIC ADJUSTOR
As with any bike that has a singlesided swingarm,
always check the CB’s eccentric adjustor moves freely
and isn’t seized up through road grit and chain lube
getting into the system. Ask the owner the torque
setting for the pinch bolt as over tightening can
damage the hub.
Fire up the CB and its exhaust

note is an apologetic whisper rather
than an aggressive bark that you get
on V-twin nakeds such as the KTM
Super Duke or Ducati Streetfighter. To
be honest, even the traditionally
muted Germans outshine the Honda
and the BMW K1300R sounds more
impressive, while the British Triumph
Speed Triple leaves it for dead. But
this was to be expected, Honda never
like to upset the applecart, the
CB1000R was in the naked game for
the long run and as such came jam
packed with emissions law future
proofing. Surely the ride would be
more impressive?
Again, that was a problem with
the CB1000R. In the late 2000s the
world was a changing place and more CHAIN WHINE
Owners report that over-
and more naked bikes were starting tightening the drive chain can EXHAUST
to appear as older riders began to lose cause the CB1000R to whine The OE exhaust makes the CB sound terrible and most H-VIX
their penchant for sportsbikes. These and eat chains at a terrifying owners fit an aftermarket can. Although not essential, Like most modern bikes, the CB comes with an exhaust
bikes were arriving with motors rate. Forums recommend the it is best to combine any exhaust modification with a valve to help it meet emissions laws. Always check the
best amount of movement to be fuelling module such as a Power Commander as this H-VIX valve isn’t seized by looking at the cables when
packed full of punch and chassis that
25-35mm. helps remove a bit of the CB’s throttle snatch. the bike performs its pre-run checks.
were more than happy to back their
insurance guide
rider 1 35, 5 yrs NCD, licence 5yrs,
0 points, garaged, BS31 code, 8,000
miles per year, no pillion cover, no
accessories.
tpft excess comp excess
£253 £500 £301 £500
rider 2 40, 7 yrs NCD, licence

18yrs, 3 points, garaged, BS31 code,
8,000 miles per year, no pillion cover,
PRE-REG AND DISCOUNTS no accessories.
Honda’s RRP for the CB1000R is £9399 (£9899 with ABS), however dealers
are selling new bikes for £8995 and pre-registered models for less than tpft excess comp excess
£8000 that even have some extras fitted.
£178 £350 £221 £350
Bike: 2008 – £5,000

FINISH
The finish on the CB1000R is a little Quotes from www.comparethemarket.com
below what you would expect from a
Honda and the paint on the engine is
known to flake if the bike isn’t cleaned
regularly. Most Honda owners tend to
cherish their bikes, but there are a few
hounds out there to be wary of.
aggressive styling up with

serious handling. In this
context, once again the CB
struggled and it was all
down to the dreaded
re-tuning…
In tweaking the
Fireblade engine for more
midrange, Honda almost
did too good a job. The
2007 ’Blade motor was
quite a thrilling litre bike
with pleasing kicks in its
power delivery, something
Honda put a stop to on the
naked bike. When you accelerate
ENGINE on the CB1000R the overall feeling
The motor is based around the 2007 is one of almost turbine-like power
Fireblade’s unit and has very few
issues. Listen out for any rattles from
delivery. The torque curve is so
FILTERS the cam chain tensioner as this is a smooth and the power build up so
When buying any used bike, the potential weak point, however a new linear that it all feels a little
first thing to check is the state of tensioner is only around £60 including
the fuel and air filters as these
uninspiring, especially when
fitment so it’s not a massive drama.
often get missed during services. sampled alongside the punchy
Reg/recs can fail, but again these are
An aftermarket air filter can be relatively cheap to replace. V-twins or spirited Triumph. Naked
cleaned and re-used (this is best bikes are meant to be all about fun
done every year) while a lethargic
bike can find its legs again by BRAKES and enjoyment, but here Honda had
removing the crap blocking the ABS The brake pistons are known to start sticking on older managed to make a 123bhp naked
fuel filter. Honda don’t actually C-ABS has always been an optional extra on the CBs. Check they aren’t dragging by getting the front feel flat and lethargic. Sure it could be
list changing or cleaning the CB1000R, boosting the RRP by £500. In the used wheel in the air and giving it a spin. It’s not a big issue prompted to pull the odd wheelie, but
fuel filter as part of the service market there is no difference in value between a bike to resolve, but sticking pistons may result in warped
where on the Speed Triple and Super
schedule. with ABS and without it, so don’t pay extra for it. discs and that’s when the bills start to add up.
Duke it was almost mandatory, on
running costs
Service interval:
Minor 4,000 miles
Major 8,000 miles
Valve clearances 16,000 miles
Service cost (main dealer):
Minor £130.00
Major £270.00
Valve clearances £390.00
Right fairing: £24.76
RH Engine casing: £227.15
Brake lever: £51.88
Thanks to Fowlers of Bristol: 0117 9770466
And on the web: www.fowlers.co.uk
the Honda it required a deliberate

action and that ruined the fun. Naked
bikes should encourage you to
misbehave, not feel as if they resent
you playing the fool. Would the
Honda’s handling help redeem the
bike? It’s a case of close, but no cigar.
Prepare to dig Rather than arm the CB with a
some ruts... flighty sportsbike chassis, the CB’s
aluminium backbone affair is
alsoconsiderthese: Honda-neutral, while the suspension
is plush and set for road use. Get a
triumph speed triple 1050 2008 crack on and the CB lacks a bit of
Private The first generation of Speed ground clearance, but for road use it
£4,500 Triple designed purely as a naked is pretty hard to fault. Stick it on the
Dealer bike is refined, good looking and track and the stock suspension very
£5,000 willing to party. A touch heavy, quickly gets all upset, but for 99 per
but a brilliant fun machine. cent of the time it is actually pretty
good. Not amazing, just good. Which
is the story of the CB1000R’s really.
Engine 1,050cc, l/c, 12v, triple
Like the Hornet 900, it is very easy
Power 120bhp @ 9,100rpm to criticise the CB1000R, but while it
Torque 104Nm @ 8,700rpm certainly lacks a bit of character, it is
actually a bloody good bike. The
engine is refined and smooth, the
ktm super duke r 2008 handling secure on the road and the
Private
look is still fresh and stylish. Sure, the
Great fun to ride thanks to a CB1000R lacks the X-factor of its
£5,000 thumping V-twin engine and European rivals, but that also makes
Dealer styled with a unique KTM it a damn sight easier to live with on a
£5,400 look. Bags of attitude backed day-to-day basis than the likes of
up with a top rate chassis.
naked bikes from KTM or Ducati. A
few smart aftermarket extras, rearsets
Engine 999cc, liquid-cooled, V-twin and a noisy exhaust for starters, and
Power the CB starts to come alive while still
120bhp @ 10,000rpm
retaining its practical side at the same
Torque 95Nm @ 8,000rpm
time – a tricky balance to pull off.
If you aren’t looking for the
ultimate in thrills, the CB1000R is a
yamaha fz1 2008 fine naked bike. Yet, while it won’t
Private send your pulse into overdrive, by the
Powered by an R1 engine, the
£4,500 same token it also won’t leave you
FZ1 should have been a smash
swearing in frustration due to so
Dealer hit but somehow always
£5,000 missed the mark. Pre-2006 called ‘character’ irritations like a few
bikes are cheap due to poor of the rival European naked bikes
fuel-injection systems. inevitably will at some point…
Engine 988cc, l/c, 16v, inline four Verdict 7/10

Power 130bhp @ 11,900rpm The CB is a very solid, good looking and reliable naked bike
Torque with a strong motor. But despite 123bhp it fails to excite in
96Nm @ 9,600rpm
the way a naked sportsbike should.
+ ENGINE, MIDRANGE, ROAD MANNERS
- LACKING A SPORTY EDGE, A LITTLE UNINSPIRED
Riding
LEANING TOWARDS KNEE DOWN!

How low can you go? How low can you go? How low...
L
ean angles are sometimes a great mystery to are required to lean the bike over further, not the
riders. I often hear the questions “Am I other way around.
ANDY leaning over too far?” or “Am I leaning over When you watch the GP riders and WSB riders
IBBOTT too much?” or “How far can I lean over before I
crash?” or “How far can I lean over before I get my
with their bikes reet over then you would think
that is what you need. But I can assure you, if
knee down?” those riders could go around that corner at that
SCHOOL DIRECTOR & LEVEL 4 COACH All these questions are valid but the answers to speed with LESS lean angle they would. Why?
AndyIbbottstartedriding the questions are not always clear cut. For Because they could use that lean to go even faster.
motorbikesat14years-old, example, am I leaning over too far? Too far for It is a fine balance of lean/speed/traction that a
andthey’vebeenhisliving what? In most cases it is too far for traction or grip. rider of that level is always trying to balance, and it
since1992,whenhebecame This is one of the main concerns of most riders, is the same for us mere mortals too. However, we
acourier.In’94hedecidedto and rightly so are limited a lot of
becomeabikejourno,and because if you get it the time by one
joinedFastBikes.Toimprove wrong you are The less you lean the more factor, lean angle,
hisridingskillshestartedracing
arented250LC,switchingtoa
600forthefollowingseason.
going to crash. And
yet there’s an equal
amount of riders
stable the bike feels... ” or to be exact, our
perception of lean
angle.
HebecameafulltimeCSS who want to lean the bike over further because This is why for track riding getting your knee
coachattheendof1999,and they want to get their knee down or they believe down is a good thing. It allows you to judge the
nowheadstheUK,Europe,and that the more you lean over the faster you go. limit of lean that you have. This is, of course, 100
theFarEastschools.Having This is a big issue. Yes, the faster you go the per cent different to ‘getting your knee down’
sufferedanastystroke,Andy more lean angle you are required to use. However, where the purpose is just to scuff up your sliders
isbackinthethickofthings to go fast you do not need to use your entire lean for better pub cred. ‘Getting your knee down’
attheSchool–andlovingit! angle up. In fact, the LESS you lean the better! riders are generally slower than those who use the
Better? Yes. Better because the less you lean the knee to judge lean angle. I have seen many a
more traction you have available to you. The less roundabout hero actually go slower around a
you lean the better the bike’s suspension will corner or roundabout than Vincent Vertical on his
work. The less you lean, the more stable the bike Goldwing Plod Along!
will feel. There’s two different mindsets, you see. For
All these points are key if you want to go faster. example, when I worked for this fine mag in the
Then, if and when you go faster that’s when you mid Nineties I would get through a set of sliders in
contactcsstobook: tel 08700671061 emailinfo@superbikeschool.co.uk web www.superbikeschool.co.uk
If you've got a riding problem, whether it's on road or track, get in touch with
Andy Ibbott; his knowledge will set you free: fastbikes@futurenet.com
You don’t always need to hang

right off to crank it over
Helloooo?
Feeling?
Hurrah! Electronics save the

day! Er, actually, no...... ”
a single photoshoot. But when rain mode it limits the power
racing, a set of sliders would last output and throttle when you
me nearly all season... get to 38 degrees. Electronics FINGERNUMB
Of course, the knee is not the save the day! Er, actually no. I suffer with my fingers going
only way to judge your lean
angle. Mike Hailwood used his
Just because you
(theoretically) cannot highside
Q numb on a long ride. I know if
I rode in a racer crouch all the
toes; other riders use the hero the bike in this mode you can Helloooo? Feeling? time it would probably be easier on the
blobs or footpegs as a gauge. But still lean the bike too far and lose hands, but it’s not possible when
be careful here. A hero blob will grip on the front or rear end. It’s covering distances. What do you
get shorter and a footpeg will just your crash was not caused suggest (other than buying a tourer!)
too. There is also a danger if by mis-use of the throttle, just Ian
your footpegs do not fold up that mis-use of lean angle.
you grind them into the ground There are ten vital technical We all rest a bit of weight
too hard and then you are in
danger of unloading the
riding skills that should be in
place before you even try to get A on the arms and hands,
but numb fingers
suspension as the hard part digs your knee down. Coaching on suggests something else.
into the surface and literally lifts them is far cheaper than the Numbness is usually because of a
the bike up reducing grip as the results from misuse of your lack of blood getting to the fingers
tyres are lighter on the surface. bike’s capabilities. and it’s most likely being
Using your toes can get very As a side note after over eight restricted at the wrist. Check out
expensive as you can wear your years of hard graft Keith Code ANDY the fit of your jacket sleeves where
boots out very quickly. Toe
sliders are a good idea if you
has finally released the DVD – A
Twist of the Wrist 2 (and also on
‘SPIDEY’ they tuck into your gloves. Too
tight and it could restrict
remember that they too will not
last forever and will need
Blu-Ray). I was privileged to
help Keith with the first draft of
PECK circulation, but when sat on the
bike, have a look if your hands are
replacing on a regular basis if the script of the DVD and now DEPUTY CHIEF RIDING COACH AT pointing up in relation to the arms
you are to keep your boots in top the final version is out shot in CALIFORNIA SUPERBIKE SCHOOL, as this can cause a huge reduction
trim, and safe. But all this could HD with computer graphics and DEALS WITH YOUR RIDING in blood flow. Simply move your
be in vain in the future (not!). it really does add life to the RIDDLES, WHETHER ON ROAD OR grip around the bar aiming for a
TRACK. CONTACT HIM THROUGH
The new Beemer RR has a legendary Cornering Bible, A straight wrist to get it pumping
FASTBIKES@FUTURENET.COM.
lean angle gauge on it and in Twist of the Wrist 2. again, and hey presto!
Technical
JHS RACING OWNER/BIG CHEESE

JamesHollandrunsJHSRacing
inKeynsham,andheisour
gotoguywheneverweneed
abikelookingat.JHSRacing
wassetupinthemid1990s
andhassinceexpandedas
BEARING UP TO THE STRAIN?
There are many more bearings on or in your bike than you think...
itsreputationhasgrown.
A
Theworkshopdealswith t the end of the day, bearings are all about in your engine! When you fire up your engine, your oil
everything,fromscootersto the loads and forces put upon them – and light should eventually go off as your oil pressure has
superbikes.Havingbuiltand where those loads and forces are coming from. risen and is feeding the main bearing. When the oil
workedonraceSuzukiSVs So you’ve got your wheel bearings, steering head pressure reduces, that bearing surface can come into
andTriumph675sJameshas bearings, main/big-end bearings and shock linkage contact with the crankshaft and wear itself out very
awealthofknowledgewith bearings. Your chain and sprocket also forms part of a quickly, as it’s made from very soft material and will
thesebikes,butelsewhere bearing surface. There are rollers in between each flat cause massive damage.
James’knowledgeisas link and pin, which come in contact with the sprocket. Then you’ve got the familiar ball race bearings,
extensiveasitgets.Sofrom So, what about types? Most big-end bearings and which are generally used on older single cylinder
tyrefittingtoMOTs,fromdyno main bearings on modern machines are pressure fed, air-cooled engines and two-strokes. With these, you
worktosuspension,James so they’re what we call a white metal shell, which is a have an inner bearing face, an outer bearing face, with
reallydoesdoitall.Andherehe copper shell coated in white metal. And that bearing ball bearings set between the two held in a little cage.
is,passingonhisyearsinthe doesn’t come in to contact with anything hard, like the That cage may be plastic, brass or tin (depending on
businesstoFastBikesreaders! crankshaft – it uses a film of oil as the load area, so it’s the application) and the outer and inner rotate
not a normal type independently on
bearing. It’s all about
oil pressure, which is Always have nice oil in the ball.
A taper roller
why you should
always have nice oil your engine! ” bearing is
commonly used in
contactjhsracing: tel 01179868844 email jhsracing@lineone.net web www.jhsracing.co.uk
TECHNICAL
toolofthemonth ESSENTIAL WORKSHOP KIT

CON-ROD BALANCER
& Guess what? It’s for balancing
con-rods. It allows me to weigh
the big end of the con-rod and
the small end independently to
give me an overall weight. This
means I can weight-match all my
con-rods, which is essential for
building race engines. With a
four-cylinder engine, it’s vital to
have all the big ends (and small
ends) the same weight for
balance, and you don’t want to
end up with four con-rods that
aren’t just the same weight, but
not balanced at either end. When
you come to balance the crank, Well balanced...
it’s the best it can possibly be...
Don’t over-tighten your

top yoke nut! ”
the headstock/steering head. You looks like a cup (it holds
can adjust the amount of load on something) and the cone fits in the
them, to adjust the steering head centre of the cup and is made from
for tightness or slackness. ball races. Generally, they’re loose How often have you
even looked at one
Over-tightening your top yoke nut and packed in with grease, or of your bearings?
will pinch the bearing that will then they’re held in a plastic cage and
get notchy, so don’t do that! you adjust the amount of tension.
With all that said and done, Then we have needle roller them open, closed, inner or outer. instances would be an MOT failure,
most of the Japanese bikes now bearings, which are generally used They can often have several so it’s worth having a proper look
come with cup and cone bearings. in two strokes for gudgeon pins as contacts, like the con-rod as the to save yourself time and money for
They are literally that; one part small-end bearings. You can get inner, and the gudgeon pin as the what is a £5 part.
outer. They’re also used in The myth of pressure washing
Greasy! gearboxes, and they’re pressed into bikes and damaging bearings is just
a hard outer. that – a myth. Wheel bearings are
Wheel bearings are usually ball properly sealed now, and 99.9 per
races and are generally sealed by cent of bikes now have a 1RS and
metal or plastic/rubber shields. they’ll have an extra oil seal. The
Metal shields are usually used for chances of getting water in there
industrial jobs, as they don’t are pretty slim. These units are
receive the muck and crud you’d sealed for life, so gone are the days
get from the outside world. Rubber of ripping your linkages apart and
shields are commonly coded as 1RS re-greasing.
or 2RS – RS means ‘rubber shield’. Singling bikes out is tricky, but
In terms of bearing you’ve got to be careful with R1s
maintenance, the first thing to look and R6s when changing wheels, as
out for is movement, either in your Yamaha use a needle roller bearing
wheel, headstock, or swingarm with a sleeve in their sprocket
pivot. Also, roughness of carrier (used as a spacer), and
movement, like notchy play. Both sometimes it can get left out!
If you don’t know the difference between yokes and yolks, Dzus and Zeus,
or suspension and suspenders – email the experts : fastbikes@futurenet.com
2015 BMW S 1000 RR LAUNCH
It’s launch time, and we kick things off with a biggy
– the much revised 199bhp BMW S 1000 RR!
2014 NAKED SPORTSBIKE OF THE YEAR

THEMOSTHOTLYCONTESTEDCLASSIN2014GOESHEAD-TO-HEADINAROAD
ANDTRACKBATTLEBETWEENTHEUTTERLYNUTTERLYNAKEDS
Aprilia Tuono V4R vs BMW S 1000 R vs Ducati Monster 1200S vs KTM 1290 Super Duke R vs
MV Agusta Brutale 1090 RR vs Triumph Speed Triple R
ON SALE: 11TH NOVEMBER 2014

If you've been a naughty biker, you need some
decent advice, get it from: mail@whitedalton.co.uk
Legal
TAKEN TO THE CLEANERS?
A cheap wash could turn out to be a very expensive one if it all goes wrong…
I took my bike in for a clean but as I had ‘lent’ the bike with really tough Court bailiff they could
ANDREW
Q at a former service station
which was now being run as
permission to an uninsured 3rd party
who had damaged the bike they were
march onto the site and grab all the
cash or seize all the cleaning gear, DALTON
a hand wash by a group of gentlemen not going to pay. So I’ve gone from but it would take a lot of jet washes
of south eastern European extraction. going to get my bike cleaned to and buckets to replace your bike. I PENAL SERVITUDE PREVENTOR
I’d used these guys before; they were having no bike and no money to would not hold out much hope of TheFastBikesLegalClinicis
cheerful and friendly and did a replace it. I don’t hold out any hope of that happening, I’m afraid. compiledbyAndrewDalton,
damned fine job of cleaning my bike. getting money off the Albanian guy Your insurers are correct. Under your andhisbikeridingbarristers
I left them with my bike to clean and who runs the yard, but I’d have policy damage caused by you is andsolicitorsatWhiteDalton
sat in a tea shed and awaited my thought this was accidental damage recoverable, but damage caused in a MotorcycleSolicitors.
pristine bike. Then one of the guys and covered by my insurance. road traffic accident by another
approached me very sheepishly and Roger party acting upon your instruction Theydealwithpersonal
explained in broken English that my injuryclaimsandtheirsister
bike had fallen off the side stand and
it had sustained a bizarre amount of Damage caused by you is company,MotorDefence
Team,dealswithallthe
damage. There was a lot of babbling
and people speaking foreign tongues
down mobile phones and eventually
recoverable, but by others...” motoringoffences.
Theyknoweverythingabout
bikelaw.Andrewisaformer
my dealer took my unrideable bike happens to be excluded. Londonmotorbikecourier
away. I asked the car cleaners for their Sorry, the news is not good. This is a standard term and avoids turnedbarristerandsolicitor,
insurance details (cue a lot of
shuffling about) and I was given the A The car cleaning company
is a limited company so the
your own insurers picking up the bill
if your bike is damaged by your
andweknowhe’sgood.All
theWhiteDaltonlawyers
mobile number of the head honcho owner is not personally liable. franchised dealer, but it does not arequalifiedbarristers,or
who told me he had no insurance for The company is uninsured and help much with an uninsured solicitors,orboth-andthey
damage to vehicles, so I went to my worthless so whilst you might take business. The exclusion clause is a allhavefullbikelicences,too.
own insurers who organised an them to the small claims court you regular and common clause and Theydon’tactforinsurance
inspection, told me the bike (which would not have much luck enforcing sadly I cannot see the Ombudsman companiesortheprosecution.
was old but pristine) was written off the judgment – I suppose if you had holding it to be unfair. TheyareBritain’smost
specialistlawpractice,
andiftheydon’tknowthe
answertoyourquestion,
thereprobablyisn’tone.
Don't relyontheadvice
fromyourinsurance
appointedsolicitor,get
properindependentadvice.
For road traffic offences

call Motor Defence Team
0800 280 0912
For non-offence cases

call White Dalton
Motorcycle Solicitors
0800 783 6191
Just not
like this!
Visit their websites

whitedalton.co.uk
motordefensesolicitors.co.uk
You could always

clean it yourself...

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LONGTERMERS
Dry roads, some

sunshine and jacket and
jeans. Long may it last...
ROOTSY KAWASAKI ZX-6R 636

TIME ON TEST:
7 MONTHS (FBK288) 0 5 2 4 5 ODOMETER
MILES
BHP
GAIN: TBC
NEXT FRESH
AIM: RUBBER
this month i have mostly been… “Stacking the miles on, and on...”
I
swear months get shorter… It was only the thick layer of flies all over my visor.
week one of our schedule when I The trip back was, er, efficient, too. With
disappeared oop north on the Beej on a borrowed RSV4 Factory, he had rice
i ffrom new: £8,999
Kawasaki, and now it’s the death throes the legs in a few parts on the way back, Insurance group 15
of week four and my cunning plans have but it was nothing a dropped cog couldn’t Modifications Price
gone awry. That’s not to say it’s been a pull back. With bikes like the ZX-6R and GB Racing protection bundle £212.56
slack month on the Zed – because I’ve the 675, there’s no reason whatsoever GB Racing bullet sliders £66.60
been racking up the miles. It’s just that why you should see them as anything but HM quickshifter £416.75
my hopes for more mods have taken a the real deal and able to keep up with Scorpion Serper exhaust £349.00
beating in the face of some small whatever you like on the road. Renthal Intellilevers (pair) £181.44
upheavals. The bike was also engaged in some R&G Racing exhaust holder £68.49
The sharp eyed among you will have more sedentary work, namely ferrying me R&G Racing tail tidy £66.99
noted that the magazine has changed too and from the airport for this month’s Metzeler Sportec M7 RR £240.00
hands, and the new organ grinders are launches. I love travelling to and from an
based up in Lincolnshire – the interesting
bit, too. So one our way up for a meet and
greet it was an opportunity to have a bit With bikes like the ZX-6R you
of a scratch. I was on my own on the way
up, and happened across some cracking
roads once I’d got off the A46 – no
should keep up with anything...”
wonder the area breeds such good road airport on a bike because I get plenty of powered by two AA batteries
racers; Steve Plater, Gary Johnson, Guy extra time in bed and then don’t have to masquerading as a front light, but the
Martin, Ivan Linten, et al (although I’m fuss on the way home, either. Again, an beam on the Kawasaki is pretty good. My
not too sure who this al guy is...). adventure bike wouldn’t hold many more route home now starts off at dusk, and
I was just a little too late to check-in at advantages in this situation as I’d still by the time I’m home over an hour later
Horncastle’s bike night as I came across a have to strap a bag onto it, but not be as I’m glad that the unclassified roads I have
load of riders returning from the event – nimble as I currently am on a supersport to head down are as well lit as they are.
many with poorly adjusted front lights, weapon. It’s the only way to fly... That’s not to say the fun is over for
which is a bug bear on many bikes when it I mentioned front lights earlier, and another year, as I’m clinging to all the
gets to this time of year. No matter, I normally this is the time of the year when reports of an Indian summer – with all
couldn’t have travelled much further for we’re presented with seemingly a torch that that entails...

LONGTERMERS
Clean me, Seymour,

clean me now!
Price from new: £15,750

Insurance group: 17
Modifications Price
Ducati Corse seat £160.00
Samco hoses £117.36
Samco clip kit £21.99
R&G shock cover £59.99
R&G fork sliders £30.99
R&G paddock stand £109.99
R&G stand pin £19.99
Termi’ full system £2,554.36
BST wheels £2,642.36
Bazzaz fuel unit £250.00
running total £5,717.03
It’s finally time to

get back out on her
before the summer
goes for good!”
was a gentle degreasing, and then an
BENJAMIN
TIME ON TEST:
DUCATI1199PANIGALE BHP: 174
initial soak, before a rather good lather.
She don’t half look good all soapy and
20 MONTHS (ISSUE 274) 0 4 7 1 5 ODOMETER
MILES GAIN: 6
NEXT RIDE
AIM: HER!
bubbly, and I could almost feel her relief
as the slew of dust was finally being
this month i have mostly been… “Waiting to get my hands dirty…” washed away.
Finally she was treated to a gentle but
I
t’s been a long old wait, but finally the Charlie Charles eventually found one we firm jet-wash to put the kibosh on any
Ducati and I have done something could use. Fair play to him and Al, I wasn’t lingering dust. But what would a good
together. Following the workmen- about when they used it and they took wash be, without a corresponding polish?
dust debacle that put her out of action, care of the Ducati just fine, delving into all Out came the MucOff polishing kit and I
it’s been over a month since we’ve done her nooks and crannies, blowing upon her set to work. I did notice though, that now
anything together, and ’Gale is getting both gently and forcefully. Cheers boys, she’s nearing two years old she could do
sniffy about it. Frankly, I already get you know how to treat a lady. with some protection. I’m terrified of
enough of that kind of malarkey, and However, that didn’t quite account for damaging the panels any further than the
don’t need any more, so as soon as we a lot of the dust, some of it was stubborn, usual wear and tear, so will be pestering
were able to find a portable compressor some tucked away so deep it would the life out of 3M for a nice covering. If
we set to work. require keyhole surgery, if you’ll pardon you haven’t seen this stuff, it is brilliant
For those unaware, the issue was that the expression, to sort out. And I was very as it saves your bodywork from scratches
some workmen had sawed and drilled keen to do it all properly, so following her and nicks by covering all the most
stacks of MDF and other materials right intricate blow job, I set about her first vulnerable areas in a sturdy clear
next to our bikes without covering them, with a Hoover. Must say, whoever comes plastic-like coating which is applied by
covering them in a thick pall of ultra-fine up with a quiet Hoover, will rule the hand. Anyway, clean over, polished and
dust. Cheers for that! We didn’t want to planet. But it was necessary to suck out dried, it’s now time to finally get back out
move anything without being able to as many leftover particles as I could on her while we still have some summer
blow most of it off first, and Charles before going to town on a wash. Next up left. Hi ho ’Gale, away!

LONGTERMERS
Looks sweet, ya?
ALASTAIR KTM1290SUPERDUKER
BHP: TBC
TIME ON TEST:
MILES GAIN:
NEXT GET HER
AIM: BACK
this month i have mostly been… “Missing pie...”
L
ast month was a mile-munching and saves around 1.5kg in weight. You
period for the Super Duke R. This also get to see more of KTM’s beautiful Price from new: £13,999
month has been more of a sharing engineering in the swingarm/wheel area. Insurance group 17
exercise. That Rootsy chose the KTM to The can takes two minutes to fit, Modifications Price
circumnavigate Wales in this month’s which is a good and a bad thing. There’s
Akrapovic can £672.32
ride guide says it all – I didn’t see the one bolt into the pillion peg and a clamp
SD-R for a few weeks but I’ve got a free linking the can to the collector box. The
set of Maxxis tyres out of the deal! cat, like most bikes these days, isn’t in
The new Dunlop Sportsmart II is the the can, so that means marginal power
first OE tyre I’ve been happy to keep on a gains, if any. Although I’ve yet to dyno
longtermer for a while now. It’s epic test, the Akra’ can shares near identical
fast-road rubber and highly bores to that of the OE arrangement.
recommended, but now the winter There’s more of a rasp towards the top of
weather is coming, the Maxxis Diamonds the rev range though.
might be a wise move. Some will say £672.32 is a lot of coin
I finally got my hands on an exhaust for no performance gains but, as
for the SD-R. KTM’s Power Parts mentioned previously, there’s a lot to be
catalogue is brimming with sexy bolt-on said for scrapping that OE can, and it’s
goodies, including this official Akrapovic made from titanium – which ain’t cheap.
slip-on silencer. While it’s no prototype Just before writing this, I said goodbye
from The Beast, it looks eleventeen to the SD-R again this month. She’s gone
billion times better then the original can, up to Pipewerx for some fitting, and
hopefully they’ll design and manufacture
That Rootsy chose the KTM to circumnavigate something funky. The boys were saying a
link pipe from the headers straight to the
Wales for the ride guide says it all...” end can (scrapping the cat) wouldn’t be
too much bother. Here’s hoping!

LONGTERMERS
CHARLIE TRIUMPH STREET TRIPLE R ABS BHP: 106

TIME ON TEST:
MILES GAIN: NA
NEXT TYRES
AIM: AND TRICKS
this month i have mostly been… “Getting luggaged up and getting gone...”
W
ith Rootsy sub-letting out sees the front wheel, back wheel and Price from new: £8,049
my MT-09, he sacrificed his often both wheels off of the ground at Insurance group: 15
ownership of the ST-R and times. Me? I’m far less antisocial, but still
handed the keys back to me to stop my like the occasional handful to heighten Modifications Price
sulking. It has done the job as my smile the senses. All in all, it’s a cracking Arrow slip on silencer £499.99
has returned, though added to it is a commuter and delivers whether you want Triumph bellypan £160.00
quizzical expression born out of a peaceful and subdued ride or the Triumph flyscreen £149.00
confusion. With the time I’ve spent capability to wind it right up and snarl and Triumph engine covers £124.00
getting to know and improve the MT, is spit like a mad dog. Rizoma Proguard £77.50
the Street still my ‘within reach’ choice? However, if the ST-R is a mad dog then running total £1,010.44
Before my MT time I would have had the MT-09 is positively rabid, foaming
no hesitation to say the bike I would from the mouth and straining at the an MT, stick in an Öhlins rear and
purchase right now, without hesitation, leash. The OE ride and jolty throttle lost a Andreani cartridges and still have change
was this, the Street Triple R. As a package lot of points against Triumph’s triple, but from the cost of the Triumph. These
it’s perfect and will satisfy the appetite these things are now being addressed. At modifications level the playing field it’s
for any type of rider. Rootsy’s commute £1,100 less than the Triumph you can buy dominated since it appeared. Which
would I choose? So far, I am not sure…
The big question here is will the What I am sure of is making the most
of the Triumph while I have it. Famed, as I
Triumph remain my favourite?” may be, for luggaging up my sportsbikes,

the reason is that I do distances where I
cannot travel light. If it comes to a tank
Lots of bags make Charlie bag or a train, I choose tank bag. So as
happy. Very happy... with last year I have stuck with the Givi
Tanklock system. The bag clips into a
collar attached to the fuel cap by four
slightly longer screws. I went for a bigger
bag this year, 20 litres of soft bag that, if
the truth be known, is a little restrictive
on an energetic thrash on this model, but
ideal for a journey that requires time. The
real benefit is in the taking on and off and
protection of not only your cargo
(including special sleeves for your
i-devices) from the elements, but also
your bike from the bag. Worth a look.
I have also added a Rizoma proguard
as I have been getting used to this little
bolt-on. Granted, first time I fitted one it
was because I had seen it in MotoGP; it
was a talking point and looked boss. Now
though I do find them really useful with
motorway traffic routinely stopping
meaning me having to filter. There’s still a
lot of unhappy guys wanting to squeeze
your path and having the brake lever
protected (especially OE levers that are
generally the length of the bars) is
nothing but a good thing.
More miles to do on the ST-R now and
time for new tyres, and another visit to
Triumph’s catalogue of mods beckons. I
Don’t ask us what he should put some new tyres on, too.
puts in there... Rootsy’s commuting has squared the
OE’s off too much for my liking...
THANKSTO:
WWW.GIVI.CO.UK
Pop your collar...

LONGTERMERS
CHARLIE YAMAHA MT-09 BHP: 109

TIME ON TEST:
MILES GAIN: 5
NEXT TRACK
AIM: TIME?
this month i have mostly been… “Wanting the MT back…”
T
he more observant of you will see Motorcycle Monthly’s Bruce Wilson Price from new: £6,949
that Fast Bikes Magazine has has entered the Dark Dog Moto Tour, a Insurance group: 14
been purchased by Mortons week long tour of France that takes in
Media Group, a publisher that brings you 3,000kms, 19 special stages and speed Modifications Price
a huge number of specialist titles – and circuit competitions for the 200 odd Akrapovic full system £967.99
brings me a problem. More bloody competitors. When told, I thought, Gilles clutch lever £107.99
journalists all desperate to ride my staff “Good for you. Why are you telling me Gilles brake lever £107.99
MT-09. Yay... this?” Then it became obvious. Bruce had Gilles rearsets £489.49
Having given the MT a £900 entered on my bike. So the MT is currently LED flashers (front) £48.49
suspension boost last month it has off on an adventure which I will try and LED flashers (rear) £48.49
become quite a popular ride for the Fast detail next month, but it’s a bit of a pisser Licence plate holder £98.99
Bike boys. This has seen a few evening – especially as I have things to do to it. Engine protectors £170.99
‘swops’ ranging from the staff array of Look after it, Dangerous Bruce... Seat cover £128.99
ZX-6Rs, 1290 Dukes and Panigales, right Having successfully addressed the Radiator side covers £70.99
through to the cheeky RSV4 that has suspension I turn my attention to the Andreani fork cartridges £372.00
been hanging around after the last test. other problem; a ride-by-wire throttle Öhlins YA 335 Shock £499.91
All have been offered as an evening prize that can be properly snatchy in ‘A’ and running total £3,112.31
for me letting the guys have a run home standard modes and which had our
on the beautifully suspended MT. designer Ian keeping the MT in a stifled free upgrade for those that want the
The feedback has been cracking. Mr ‘B’ (Rain) mode to steady his ride. Well, response a little softer.
Fagan stated, “It’s transformed the bike this has been recognised and there’s a Despite being used to it now on my
no end,” and word has obviously reached map now available from Yamaha UK that daily commute, I will take the MT into
our all new northern colleagues... is out there in the Dealer network as a Phoenix Yamaha in preparation for the
next issue to let you know how this
change in ECU diagnostics affects the MT.
It’s an optional modification, if you’re
loving it snappy then leave it that way, if
not then head to your local dealership –
while you are there check the headlamp
loom too, this may need replacing as on
some models it can be pulled tight on full
lock. The last thing I need is that failing,
especially given I am already travelling
with a clear visor again ‘just in case’...
So these bits need sorting, not to
mention the Rizoma collection I
promised you last issue. I can’t wait to get
these champagne bolt-ons added to the
MT. If you were expecting to see these in
this issue please feel free to send all
complaints to Bruce Wilson, Motorcycle
Monthly, Mortons Publi...
You’ll have to wait for

these beauties to go on.
There’s a new throttle map to soften THANKS TO:

delivery now available at Yamaha dealers...” RIZOMA (FOR THEIR PATIENCE)
no thanks to :
BRUCE WILSON

LONGTERMERS
BENJAMIN
TIME ON TEST:
BMWS1000RSPORT BHP: 148
MILES GAIN: NA
NEXT GIVE IT
AIM: BACK
this month i have mostly been… “Waving bye bye…” Price from new: £11,390
Insurance group: 17
S
o, our time together is up - me, Anyway, the general consensus
the FB massive, and the BMW seems to be the same coming from Modifications Price
S 1000 R Sport have had a ball. dealers to their owners, which is that they R&G Engine case bundle £229.99
It’s been a fun few months for all of us don’t currently have a fix, but are working R&G eazi pads £25.99
here, and the BMW has seen more bums on it. We’d expect it to be sorted before R&G cotton reels £19.99
than a cinema seat and has rolled a long, so maybe there will be a recall or an R&G fork protector £30.75
decent amount of miles in many, many update the next time it gets a service. running total £306.72
different conditions. But before I sum up The other thing worth mentioning is
our time together, some housekeeping.
Last issue I made note of a stalling
problem, usually when going down the The electronic suspension on the
gears pulling in the clutch. A couple of
others running the same bike this year
were experiencing the same. The chaps at
BMW is utter genius...”
BMW got back in touch saying it was that even though we had our initial also phenomenal, this is a bike worth
being looked into, but they may have an reservations about the Nankang tyres we every single penny you spend on it.
idea what was causing it, and when they fitted, the more miles we put on them However, and as much as I do enjoy it, it
knew they’d get back to us. the better they became. has highlighted for me the fact I’m not
Since the mag’ has been out, quite a As for the bike itself, the electronic ready to go fully naked just yet.
few of you guys out there who own them suspension is utter genius in all but very Everything it is good at, I find sportsbikes
have been in touch and it seems you’re all specific circumstances, because are just as good at.
having the same problem. Like some of otherwise the art of suspension set-up On a recent long journey the BMW was
us, many have adapted their own riding may as well be redundant in the BMW’s sinking a lot more fuel into the tank on
to adjust to it so they aren’t going down a case, it works that well. Serious talent will each fill-up than the sportsbike
gear in certain situations, meaning it find fault with it, the rest of us mortals accompanying it, while my neck and
doesn’t cut out. We did the same thing... will just remain amazed at its abilities. shoulders felt as though they’d had a
It’s a sign of how we expect our bikes The engine is as good as you’d expect proper work out. It’s fine if you slow down
to be so complete these days that things too, and even if the electronics are a little a touch, granted, but maybe I’m still a
like that demand a fix, rather than an overbearing at times, you can always turn couple of years away from fully
adaptation. Remember what bikes used them off. The mechanical grip the chassis embracing the naked philosophy just yet.
to be like and you’ll recall we all had to is capable of, and the rest of the control When I eventually do though, the BMW
adjust ourselves to their own particular apparatus, is so good you don’t need will definitely be one of my first ports of
foibles. What a modern world we live in. them most of the time. The brakes are call. What a bike…
Rootsy - loving
the BMW...

LONGTERMERS
PETER SUZUKI GSX-R750 BHP: 124

TIME ON TEST:
MILES GAIN: NA
NEXT SWAP
AIM: IT
this month i have mostly been… “Preparing myself for a Hayabusa!”
S
o three months have passed miles. I decided to take the bike as the
since I was first introduced to weather was going to be good. The route
the GSX-R750, and it’s now is a majority of A and B roads and this is
nearly time for it to go back. It has been where the Gixer excels. The trip was really
an interesting period for me (see last enjoyable and, due to being able to safely
month’s article for details), and my get past slower moving traffic, was much Price from new: £9,899
opinions on what makes a good bike have quicker than taking the car. Before I Insurance group: 16
changed. I was curious to see what the collected the bike Benjamin had
750 had to offer and after a period of commented on the economic fuel me enough because I’ve had a litre bike
familiarisation, we have gelled together. consumption of the bike, but I was for so long, but please don’t let that put
It’s a fantastic road bike; you only surprised to see the light come on after you off. It‘s still fantastic, won’t go wrong,
need read the September issue of FB 130 miles – I can get that out of my won’t chuck you off should you get a bit
magazine to discover what the FB guys GSX-R1000! Speaking of the litre bike, clumsy with the throttle and is perfectly
think of this bike. It really is the perfect I’ve been so impressed with the abilities suited to road riding. The front end is
tool if your riding is solely road based. of this 750 that I can’t wait to see what sublime and instils confidence, but for
Unfortunately, I don’t just ride on the the new GSX-R1000 is like; I think there me it doesn’t have quite enough shove
road, I also really enjoy getting on track could even be the possibility of a and its looks haven’t really changed
and I know as soon as you started to push purchase (loving the new WSB-rep enough over the years. If it was my bike
this bike it would show some limitations. colours!) if it’s as good as I hope. then modifications I’d be looking at
I was called down to Poole with work, So would I buy this bike? I don’t think would be a double bubble screen, a
which is a return journey of roughly 140 it’s for me. It’s pricey and doesn’t excite free-flow air filter plus an exhaust to give
it some more bark and a tail tidy.
A great face Summing up I’d say this is a terrific
for radio? road bike that is equally happy on the A
and B roads as it is commuting through
city traffic but may be too bland for
some. I know there is a dedicated 750
following and I’m sure they, like me,
would love to see a remodelled and
reworked bike for 2015; something that
would give the European manufacturers
something to think about...
Pete’s been
busy then...
The front end is

sublime and instills
confidence...”

DAN DUCATI MULTISTRADA GT
TIME ON TEST: BHP:
MILES GAIN: NA
NEXT 899!
AIM: WOO!
this month i have mostly been… “Looking forward to Panigale’ing!”
R
ight then, where do I start? So myself were genuinely surprised at how
I’ve had the Multistrada for six fast it is when you really pushed it. The
weeks now and as I have said suspension still blows my mind and put a
before, I wasn’t looking forward to it due big smile on my face every time I went
to it not being my type of bike – and due past a superbike when the roads got bad.
to the lack of leg length on my part! I even took the Doris away for the
But I’ve used it almost every day since weekend on it. We thought we might as
I have had it and all I can say is what a well try this touring lark whilst I had the
bike! It’s completely won me over, it’s the perfect tool for the job. It was great; the Price from new: £16,995
Swiss army knife of the bike world. I’ve panniers have loads of space in them, the Insurance group: 17
used it for everything – going to do the top box has a pad for the pillions to rest
shopping, visiting customers, Sunday ride on and the riding position was perfect for
outs with the boys, I went to see BSB on the long ride. The engine has bags of
it and just taken it for an afternoon torque, which made two up overtaking a
thrash on my own. It does everything so breeze, and then when you’re cruising
well and I think all of my mates and along it’s lovely and smooth. and its quirky looks, it’s really grown on
The jury’s out on the touring thing, but me and I am genuinely going to really
the bike has really opened my eyes and miss it. It’s done everything I’ve asked of
like the old dear says, you shouldn’t judge it – and more. All I can say after 1,500
a book by its cover. The other thing I miles is it’s a great bike and if you’re in
noticed was how many looks it gets and the market for this sort of thing, you have
especially off GS owners. If you’re reading to try one before you look at any rivals.
this and you own a GS, you bought the So what next ? Well, a trip back to
wrong bike I’m afraid! Silverstone to collect the bike I was really
Then last week I had a message from looking forward to trying, the 899
Benjamin to say it needed to go back to Panigale. Upon arrival I was greeted by
Ducati, to pick up the next bike. Now I Jinx and the 899 in the best colour
thought before I got this bike that the day scheme possible on a superbike,
it went back couldn’t come soon enough, gorgeous satin white offset with red
but now the time has come I feel wheels, it really sets this bike off. But
massively gutted. I really do love this bike more on that next month...
If you’re thinking of an adventure bike, make sure you try

the Multistrada before anything else... ”
LONGTERMERS
IAN YAMAHA R6
TIME ON TEST: BHP:
1 MONTH (ISSUE 294) 0 0 6 6 0 ODOMETER
MILES GAIN: NA
NEXT MORE
AIM: RIDING!
this month i have mostly been… “Chuffed to bits!”
H
ello, my name is Ian and I’m the the R6. First impressions are what a little
lucky winner of the R6 longterm beauty it is. The longtermer is the blue
test. Well, somebody has to do and black combination with the matching
it. So first off, and most importantly, a metallic blue wheels that look fantastic.
massive thank you to Fast Bikes, From every angle it’s still the best looking
Yamaha, BikeSure Insurance and BikeTrac sports 600 out there, and in the flesh Price from new: £9,299
for an amazing opportunity – and for you’d be hard pushed to disagree. Insurance group: 15
trusting me with the bike and the blog. Then the panic came about how I was
Right, let’s get going. going to fit on it. I’m 6’ 3” and this bike
Getting the train down from London looked like it was built with Jorge’s Cracking on towards London on some
on Saturday morning to pick up the bike measurements in mind. Five minutes single carriageway roads, passing traffic
from FB HQ I was thinking about all the later, fighting through the Bath midday certainly is a cerebral and focused affair. I
reviews of the R6 to date. It’s supposed traffic, all this is forgotten. It’s comfy. found myself in the wrong gear on a good
to be a track focused revvy little monster Yes, actually comfortable. If you really few occasions waiting for the surge of
which, let’s face it, couldn’t be more want to know pain, go sit on a Ducati 848! power – which was about 3,000rpm
unsuitable for London and general road A brisk pace behind Benjamin (on an away. It really does rev to 17k, and what a
based riding, which is the majority of RSV4 travelling the same way) up the rush of power it has at the top. Not arms
what I do. But I’ve never bought or owned A303 kept me on my toes, to say the out of the sockets quick, but a mad
a bike for the right reasons so why should least. You can’t believe that an engine can screaming rush that makes all your
I start now ? rev that high, take that much abuse. And senses sharpen up. Make no mistake, it’s
After a warm welcome from Benjamin, what an addictive power delivery it has. a quick bike. Wind blast is fine and at
up goes the FB garage shutter to reveal It’s very unsettling at first as, true to motorway speeds there seems to be the
perfect balance of wind pressure on your
chest to lighten the load on your wrists.
TheYamahareallydoes rev to 17,000rpm, and Sitting down with a brew, writing this
whatamad,screamingrush of power up the top! ” and thinking about the first day on the
R6 I’ve got to say I’m impressed and more
than pleasantly surprised. What I hope to
form, it’s a little barren on power low do is tell you what the bike is like to live
down – and in the midrange – so you have with day to day, find any annoying niggles
to get used to keeping it on the boil. This and hopefully give you some useful
is not a criticism, more a reminder that information if you are thinking of buying
it’s a 600, and for Yamaha to squeeze one of these – or are even just interested.
122bhp out of it at the top end there has Over and out for now, speak soon, and
to be a compromise somewhere. safe riding everyone.

PROJECT BIKES
Project Bikes
SIMON
TIME ON TEST:
KAWASAKI ZX-6R BHP: NA NEXT MOT
25 MONTHS (FBK 271) 2 2 6 7 3 ODOMETER
MILES GAIN: NA AIM: TIME
thismonthihavemostlybeen… “Busy, until a flat battery stopped the fun...”
F
iddling on the ZX-6R stalled for a there were stacks of designs and
while recently. The reason was materials to choose from, but I eventually
simple. I couldn’t get a bloody plumped for the plain titanium round Price bought: £1,000
exhaust bolt off. The design of the ZX’s carbon edge GP model – after much
can means that it bolts on to a boss. Two deliberation. We’ve been nothing but Modifications Price
of the three bolts came off with little impressed by Pipewerx’s gear, and quality Yuasa battery £28.95
drama. The third was an utter bastard of levels are only going up. Well priced, a Shock Factory shock £350.00
a thing that ended up bending one of my dream to fit, it looks great on – and the Carbon dipped Wheels £220.00
allen keys. sound? Ah, there’s the thing... Pipewerx Can £225.00
Resorting back to JHS James’s advice, I Only dragged out for occasional use, Dunlop Road Smart II £220.00
bathed it in penetrating fluid, then stuck the battery that I bought for it a year ago Wemoto front wheel 15.60
some heat on it, but to no avail (although has completely died. I tried three Wemoto rear wheels £24.00
with so much penetrating fluid on it, the different chargers and none could breath Kyoto wave discs £235.86
application of heat threatened the any life into it. So that worked out at Brenta brake pads £21.19
obvious conflagration…). I couldn’t get an about £10 a start all told… I bought the running total £1,340.60
impact driver on it because the link pipe battery off eBay, so I’ve learned my
was in the way, so I was at somewhat of
an impasse. In the end it came off
eventually with some good old fashioned THE BATTERY HAS DIED, WORKING
brute force. I got my brother round to look
at it, and that scared it into submission.
Taking the bolt out brought half the
OUT AT ABOUT £10 A START...”
thread with it, so it really was stuck in… lesson there. Time to invest… of new wave discs from Wemoto (well, I
And for why, I hear you ask? Well, I And I’m hoping that you saw the couldn’t put the rusty old set on, could I),
thought that I’d get the old Micron can off feature on the ZX’s wheels two months it was all a bit of a squeeze to get back on,
which had seen better days, and go for a ago. It was great to get them on, replete but get on they did.
more modern manufacturer – in the form with a set of RoadSmart rubber that I got And the end result is a static dream.
of Pipewerx. I jumped on the internet and fitted up at a tyre changer near me (www. There are still a few bits I’d like to change
pattersonmotorcycletyres.co.uk). I was or swap, but the wheels and discs look
worried about the fitting process, but the amazing on it. I’m planning a last little
carbon finish and lacquer seems pretty hurrah for it this autumn, meaning that I
tough stuff meaning that it all still looks need to get it MOT’d, and that means
great. I thought it prudent to change the re-routing the indicators and sorting the
wheel bearings at the time, so a set of rear brake light out. What should be little
Wemoto items went it. As did a set of jobs are proving to be anything but, but
brake pads from the afore mentioned isn’t that what we all love about bikes?
supplier of all things bikes. The calipers
weren’t in a terrible state, and none of the contacts:
pistons were seized. It was just a case of AQUAGRAPHIX – WWW.AQUAGRAPHIX.CO.UK
No wonder it didn’t If any can can, cleaning them up and fitting the pads in.
want to come out... this can can... DUNLOP – WWW.DUNLOPMOTORCYCLE.EU
Given they were now chomping on a set WEMOTO – WWW.WEMOTO.COM
New wheel
(covering), new
bearings, new
discs, new pads...
That was the last of the

petunia’s at chez Roots

i
ULTIM AT E AC CE SS TO TH E WO RL D'S RA CE
PA DD OC KS , RA CE RS & TE AM S
P IC : YA M A H A

ssi has
! ahead. As even Ro
HE’S DONE IT AGssAiIN
only went
to keep up, or stay st, supreme talent can
pa
Valentino Ro found out in the r and Marc found himself
That old goat ce at M isa no, and thus
ly ta ke yo u so fa on. He
r ra on
and won anothe world. He looked to have din g alo ng th e ground quite early me
ll wi th th e sli gle po int co
all is we pecially ore a sin
et all weekend, es remounted to sc , yet still celebrated with
a bee in his bonn wn the road in the rain th e race
do th e en d of n after all,
after chucking it ebrows He was a Rossi fa
dd en Fr ida y pr actice sessions. Ey il the Rossi for his win. body else on the grid he’d
so he managed to na no
there’s probably t, and we’d include his
were raised when being not only fastest wi n if he can’
, ra th er for Jorge
final FP4 se ss ion
ding faster laps th
an his at statement. As
team-mate in th ’s what happens when
but for once, poun renzo, lap after lap. The at
Lo Lorenzo, well, th s sometimes, just ask our
team-mate Jorge ble, because it was clear re
wa s pa lpa ed you gamble on ty t that one. A good scrap
tension
re on th e ba ck foot having miss ow n Al Fagan abou have been nice
Honda we
tu p tim e. That RCV may be be tw ee n him and Rossi would ther dull, bar
all of Friday’s se e any was actually ra
e be st bik e in th e world, but it’s lik doesn’t to see, as the race growing the world over,
s
th en it’s at a track it the reverent hope ss the line in first place.
other race bike wh to sort out. Neither Marc le would cro
e th at Va ambition
suit, it ne ed s tim
Pedrosa managed
to he’s achieved his
He did, meaning is year. If some think that
Marquez nor Dani d come race time it was ce th
, an of winning a ra for such a big star,
it
find that setting ercurial talent which saw ite a small ambition t how Rossi views
M arqu ez ’s m e qu ou
only r at th ore ab
teran Italian race probably says m tition, than how he views
him hassle the ve p woes were evident, his nt compe
tu his cu rre ar would
front. But th e se Misano’s e more win this ye
V wa sn ’t ne ar ly as dialled in to ahas his own skills. On you pleas e.
RC either of the Yam le, if
particular traits as to push extremely hard be nice though, Va
s ha vin g
and he wa

i
ULTI MATE ACCE SS TO THE WOR LD'S RACE
PADD OCKS , RACE RS & TEAM S
Cheer up mate, factory

bike ahoy, woo!
MOTOGP: BRIT BUMS TOP SEAT
Redding Gets Set

S
cott Redding has finally gotten factory RCV left by Bautista, which is
what he wants, in a semi- what has eventually transpired. This
factory Honda RCV for 2015. is Scott’s big chance at success, to try
Better yet for Scott, it’ll be run by his and earn one of those very top seats
beloved Moto2 squad, Mark VDS, a GP racer must have for any shot at
who’s boss is already Scott’s genuine success. He’s already told us
manager. With Team Gresini taking on many occasions if he doesn’t get
over the Aprilia gig, Redding had the the bike in GP he’ll go wherever he is
choice of staying with the squad and able to actually win, rather than
taking a gamble, or hoping that make up the numbers. Go get ‘em
someone managed to fund the Scott, big year ahead mate!

PIT PASS
Marco. Small, but fiesty
Melandri Mystery
A
s things stand, nobody is sure what Marco Melandri is
doing next year. Aprilia want him on their new MotoGP
project, but following a visit to the Misano GP, Marco
stated he doesn’t want to be simple grid filler. With the
greatest of respect to Aprilia, that’s likely what will happen
should he take the job. In WSB he’s yet to win a title, but he’s
winning races and is a frontrunner almost every weekend.
That’s hard to let go of, understandably, but then the lure of GP
is strong, too. Current gossip has Team Alstare taking over
the factory Aprilia status in WSB and possibly
rehiring Leon Haslam. Melandri would come
with a big pay request, and we’ve heard Aprilia
say that without a big sponsor to pay his
wage, Marco may not stay in WSB. That gives
credence to the Alstare rumour, too, as they
don’t tend to pay out stacks of cash without
serious financial backing from somewhere.
From world champ to

series supremo, Rainey
has the skills to succeed
AMA A Go Go
W
onderful, brilliant news from over the the series great again. And, of course, get Yanks
pond – DMG will no longer be running back into the hot seats of international racing.
the AMA championship! You could There are a lot of details to be decided yet, a lot of
almost hear the cheers over here in Blightly when money to be brought in and many manufacturers
this was announced, as under DMG’s tenure, AMA to be tempted back into the AMA fold, but if
has become a faint shadow of its former glory. anybody can do it, Rainey can. AMA reached the
Now, there’s a new sheriff in town, and that’s GP pits this year running just six rounds. Yes it’s a big
legend Wayne Rainey. The lack of Americans in country to run a series at, but still, there’s an
both MotoGP and WSB prompted Wayne and his opportunity for it to be great once more, and we
partners, including former Team Roberts boss fully expect Rainey to take it, and roll with it. Good
Chuck Aksland, to try and wrest control and make luck all, bring back the glory days!

i
ULTI MATE ACCE SS TO THE WOR LD'S RACE
PADD OCKS , RACE RS & TEAM S
someone of Alex’s level. That’s world flashes of greatness. Moto2 is such a

MOTO2 & WSB: NEXT YEAR, RODDERS... championship racing for you, we had gamble, many riders have become
heard he was trying to get out of his lost in that morass and having the
contract with Crescent, who have right chassis is critical. Sam won’t be
Don’t be Low(es) already lost Eugene Laverty to

MotoGP. But news reaches us that he
has re-signed for 2015, which is the
able to get on a Kalex chassis next
year (Which 90% of the grid will be
using) without buying himself out of
I
t’s currently tough times for the Crescent Suzuki squad, a solid choice best option by far. Another year on his contract. He is also at loggerheads
Lowes twins, a far cry from the for a first year in the class we’d the same bike, now he knows the with the team, as they don’t listen to
closing stages of last season as venture. There has been encouraging tracks, could either see success him by all accounts, and won’t
both homed in on major motorcycling signs from the lad thus far, we know blossom or earn an even better ride. change anything to suit him. It’s a
titles, beating stiff competition on he’s got the talent to run at the front, The grass is always greener, as they tough position to be in, he’d hold all
the way to them, with the future but a mixture of injuries, bike say. There was word of him maybe the cards were he winning. A solution
nothing but bright. Sam had won gremlins and over exuberance has joining brother Sam in Moto2, but isn’t clear right now, though him
World Supersport from Kenan gotten the better of him all too often. seeing how that’s going right now, joining Alex in WSB would be ace,
Sofuoglu, the supersport supremo, There’s no doubt WSB is a big step we always doubted it. Sam wouldn't it? The Crescent twins!
and Alex had wrested BSB from triple up in overall talent covering the meanwhile, won his world title, Whatever happens, we do hope they
champion Shane Byrne. Alex signed entire grid, too, so sometimes even moved to Moto2, looked great in get things sorted for Sam pretty
to move up to WSB with the Voltcom tenth place doesn’t come easily for testing but has since only shown sharpish, don't you?
Sam is struggling, and

it's not nice to watch
STAT Who’s

HOT QUOTE OF THE MONTH
MICHAEL VAN DER MARK I HAVE A
ATTACK World Champion!
MARCO MELANDRI CONTRACT FOR
2 from 70
Jerez Double Win
BILLY MCCONNELL NEXT YEAR, BUT I’M
Adding some
perspective to Rossi’s
Leading British Supersport NOT GOING TO IF
IT STAYS LIKE THIS.
Misano win, that how
many races he’s won
out of the total he’s
Who’s

NOT THEY MAY AS WELL
raced, since his Sepang
victory in 2010 for
JOSH BROOKES
What the hell’s going on, Josh?! NOT DEBRIEF ME
Yamaha. Sobering DANI PEDROSA AT ALL AS NOBODY
numbers to view,
those, fo sho… Xxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Out to lunch right now
SAM LOWES EVER LISTENS”
Been in this column way too Sam Lowes, on Moto2 woes
often...

PIT PASS
Millar To MotoGP
N
ow then, Jack Millar has moved direct
from Moto3 to MotoGP with LCR
Honda alongside Cal Crutchlow. That’s
a 200bhp jump! Millar’s popularity grew
apace with his initial race results this year, a
stack of wins iced with some hilarious victory
goon riding. Who doesn’t love that kind of
thing? Dorna love a global sport, love to fill
their events, and minus Casey Stoner the
attendance at the Oz round has been down.
Millar should remedy that problem, should he
take to it. Although it’s a gamble by both he MOLE: HATES DISCRIMINATION
and Honda, frankly. There’s no other Aussie
out there right now that could fill Casey’s
shoes like Jack potentially could - good luck!
PitShadow & Remember last month when I
Jonny Go Lately Leon, doing his thang... moaned about a commentator,

who proclaimed Leon Camier was
doing better than anyone
W
e’re yet to hear it officialy, but could Jonny Rea be about to expected of him on his MotoGP
sign for Team Green? The rumours that he is to ride debut? That really wound me up,
alongside Tom Sykes in WSB, and end a career long as he was essentially saying
affiliation with Honda in the process, have been deafening over the last what others in this GP paddock
few months. It has quietened down a notch since Loriz Baz was denied tend to think, which is that
an easy passage into MotoGP due to his height, and team’s Superbike racers aren’t up to it.
unwillingness to adjust bikes to suit him. There’s also the fact that It’s bullshit of the highest order.
Michael van der Mark’s move up to WSB with Ten Kate, means there’s So, when I got back from Misano I chortled away to hear him radically
only one seat left there now and Sylvain Guintoli has been mooted for that change this view, when he had a WSB racer visiting his chatterbox and
ride. Leon Haslam looks to be off, too, so only Guinters and Rea could really fit. sat right next to him. Suddenly what Leon achieved was always
Should Jonny move to Kawasaki, it’d be a bit of a shame as it would mean he’s expected, which is funny as that’s not what he had said at all. As it
tired of Honda’s promises. No MotoGP move despite the loyalty, no full factory happens, the last time this particular WSB racer was in the same box as
support in superbikes either. How long is someone of his talent to wait? said commentator a few years ago, things got pretty heated as the
loudmouth tried to essentially assassinate WSB talent live on air, and
force this poor fellow to agree with him and thereby validate his skewed
view. He didn’t, incidentally, he stuck to his guns like a top man does.
This time around, Mr commentator was far nicer about superbike riders
and was fawning to the point of being sickly, but at least he kept his
irresponsible and snotty opinions to himself for once. There’s one big
reason why superbike riders don’t have the success in GP they may be
capable of, and that’s getting a top ride for more than a couple of years.
One of the very top ones. In living memory only two have achieved it.
One was Ben Spies, who was a race winner and podium contender until
his year of utter hell saw him fall spectacularly from grace. The other
was Nicky Hayden, drafted directly from AMA, who given enough time
did manage to win the MotoGP title. And for anyone who says he didn’t
really win it, rather Rossi lost it, grow up and stop being stupid, you’re
probably the same type who takes their shirt off at football matches…
Top racers can all ride bikes to their limits, you need the best of
everything to make things gel properly, then shit begins to happen right.
Don’t have that top equipment and support, and you’re forever trying to
RATE-A-SERIES – WHERE THE ACTION’S AT… overcome deficiencies of one sort or another, most especially in GP. In
superbikes a rider can make a big difference on occasion, if that weren’t
true you wouldn’t have so many different race winners every there year
on year. But here? Nope, you need the best for success, and your best
chance is rising through the GP ranks as you’re then already in the circus,
rather than outside it trying to buy a ticket.
Once in a top seat, you’re usually loathe to lose it, although Valentino
Rossi worked a bit of genius getting his Yamaha ride back, didn’t he? It
was fantastic to see him win again, even if the race was extremely dull
to behold. That’s only his second win in roughly four years of racing,
something I never thought I’d ever hear myself considering. But long
may it go on, I remember feeling similar when Eddie Lawson took the
first win on the Cagiva 500, which perhaps shows my age a touch. In the
1990s, Eddie was as big in the racing world as Rossi, and none of his fans
MOTOGP 6/10 WSS 10/10 BSB – 9/10 wanted to admit he was past it. It’s the same now with Rossi fans,
Misano – A Rossi Win! Jerez - Supersport, – Shakey last turn win although things do move on, evidenced by the fact those who recently
Woo! But one long race of the year over Kiyo at Assen! embraced the sport having no clue why folk bang on about someone
boring race… contender! Game on! coming to the end of his career. It’s all about Marquez, isn’t it?

RACE FEATURE
WORDS: BENJAMIN ‘BJ’ KUBAS CRONIN

PICS: HONDA, KEL EDGE
LEON CAMIER
LEON CAMIER HAS BEEN THIS YEAR’S SUPER-SUB,
RIDING EVERYWHERE, ON ANYTHING – AND BEING
BRILLIANT AT IT ALL. TIME WE HAD A CATCH UP.
AT IMOLA I WAS
FASTER THAN BOTH THE
WSB SUZUKIS ON THE EVO
BMW S 1000 RR...”

LEON CAMIER
W
hen a rider loses his job and can’t find another, anything, and a lot of people need experience to be fast on
sometimes they get a year off to go play golf, get something, I’ve managed to be fast right away. It’s not all
the brolly girl pregnant, or get fat. Then there are doom and gloom, it’s actually been quite interesting and
those who make something of the opportunity to I’ve learned a lot about what I want from bikes,” he said.
further their careers, and one such example is Britain’s Which is good, as your split with Crescent looked
own Leon Camier. Left high and dry at the end of 2013, worse when Eugene Laverty won the first race on your
things were looking down for the 2009 BSB champion. But bike in Australia, briefly at any rate.
he’s come back swinging, haven’t you, Leon? “Yeah, It’s a funny one as the bike works well at Phillip
“This year hasn’t been the end of the world,” said Leon. Island. I rode it there last year and was quickest all
“I was thinking at the beginning things had gone really through testing, then had a crash, they rebuilt it and there
badly. But I’ve still managed to ride some good bikes and Leon’s luck has come was a problem with the electronics and we couldn’t work
be competitive. Considering I’ve not had testing with good this year! out why we were so slow until afterwards. For Eugene,
since that win it’s been the same as me pretty much with
sixth and seventh places. Alex Lowes has tried to push it
too, and they’ve had some massive crashes trying to
override the thing and force it to happen. When you ride
it, it feels good, with decent potential, but for some reason
it just doesn’t do anything quite good enough anymore,
it’s lacking that last little bit. Me and Paul Denning had a
bit of a misunderstanding with the situation, but he does a
brilliant job pulling it all together. When I rode it we had
no full-time electronics guys, no split throttle body system,
the bike was behind the pack technology-wise. But now
they have all that, and it’s cured many of the issues I had
with it. Otherwise the bike is sort of limited to where it is,
it doesn’t have too much more left in it, Suzuki need to
bring a new bike out.”
And the spilt was a pity as you and Paul got on?
“I understand Paul’s decision from his point of view.
We went testing, and I came back from holiday
after the final round and I said I’d come
and do the next test if I was riding the
bike in 2014. We needed to agree on
the phone what the situation was, as I
didn’t want to test it for another rider
to race, there was no point. So we
agreed on the phone, and I let all my
other options go. We tested and it all went
really well, then afterwards I got a phone call
saying they had signed Eugene. I understand the
decision, there were some financial reasons
behind it that made a difference for Paul, but
still it was a shit situation as we let everyone
else down. We had to go crawling back to
them to see if a deal was still a possibility,
but it was too late by then. I had an
option with the Ioda ride in MotoGP
on a factory Aprilia. It all looked
good, then it went tits up. I
kept getting told it would
be the next test I rode
the bike, then the
next, and then it
didn’t happen. A
shit situation, yes,
but it is what it is
I guess.”
But you
ended up on
Sylvain
Barrier’s BMW
Evo WSB bike
after he hurt
himself, and went
pretty well.
“It was quite funny to
be honest, when we went to
Imola on the EVO bike we were quicker in
the race than both Suzukis, Toni Elias and Leon
Haslam. I got punted off early doors, so had to
catch up, but I was lapping faster than all of them.
Everyone was really peaking at that race, it was good
for us. I was doing well in the EVO series, but I missed
Donington when I split my bicep, which put me back a
few races. BMW Italy were trying to find some money to

RACE FEATURE
It hasn’t always quite gone to

plan this year, like at Assen
I WOULD HAVE LOVED TO HAVE DONE MORE

ON THE MV AGUSTA, BUT MOTOGP CALLED...”
put me on the grid on a second bike, but behind Haslam and Lowes in the race, we did new frame in a week if I rode for them. With
they only have so much budget. Any more a lot of positive stuff with it,” said Camier. Aprilia that would take half a season! When I
cash would have had to come from Germany, And you rode the MV Agusta too, and got rode the bike it was 15kg overweight, and the
and it takes like half a year to get a decision on their best results in the process. chassis was like jelly compared to anything
something like that from them. It was the “Yeah, I got tenth or something, but it was else out there, so soft it was unreal. It was
same with Aprilia, thinking about it. It was a quite a hard situation. The bike is old, really even softer than standard, I think. I would
shame with BMW though, as we could have old, but their idea is to understand what they have loved to have done more with them but
won the EVO title. There was a lot with the need to be fast next year, bring out a new bike then this GP deal came along. MV wanted me
EVO that wasn’t as good as a pure WSB bike. based on what they have now and be to race for the rest of the year, do testing for
On acceleration, first to third gear was about competitive, and then to win the following them and so on. The electronics were also way
the same, but above that they vanished off season. It was good to try it out, and honestly off, they needed a lot of work. There’s not
into the distance. The standard electronics there were a lot of things that could be much many cooler brands to race for though, and
was the biggest thing, no kicker system to go better, but I don’t think they have had the rider guys like Brian Gillen in the race department
down gears, you had to keep the standard to push the development. It has potential, not are so passionate and excited about making it
gearbox, couldn’t change the bike corner by for wins next year I don’t think, but they seem happen, I don’t doubt they’ll do it, they are
corner, lots of little things like that made the really dynamic as a company to turn it into a making shit happen.”
difference. But even at Sepang I was right strong package. They said they’d make me a And then the big call, to ride a Honda in

LEON CAMIER
Camier went well on the

Suzuki in 2013
Elbow down? Easy...
Leon at Suzuka’s 8-hour a few

years ago - a good experience
IT STRUCK ME IN THE GP PADDOCK HOW

LITTLE THEY RATE WSB AND ITS RIDERS...”
understood it more, how to change my style to finish where they qualify, and he was right, it
Baptism of fire...
make it work, but it doesn’t happen overnight is quite predictable, but in WSB it isn’t. When
in MotoGP.” you consider the difference in cost between
MotoGP, how did that happen? And if you’re not on one of those top bikes, WSB and MotoGP, for just a few tenths of a
“Well Aspar needed a rider and I was on a you’ll never win? second in some places, the GP budgets strike
lot of lists. I’ve had calls from every series you “It’s so different, they come past you like you as utter bullshit, they’re crazy! It struck
can imagine to go and race. Aspar called me you’ve never ridden a bike before. You come me in the GP paddock how little they rate WSB
out of the blue, through some crew chiefs off a turn and you have it wheelieing and there, they don’t think it is competitive and
there who are my ex-chiefs from previous spinning, and you know you’re right on the that the level isn’t very good. I kind of think
teams, so maybe that’s the link. But a bike is a limit. But they’re not wheelieing or spinning the opposite, the level of riders in WSB is so
bike, and a GP bike works very well, the issue as they have electronics at another level good it’s underrated. If you come up through
was always going to be the tyres. I figured the entirely, a full factory set-up and another forty the GP paddock you can get the right
carbon brakes out pretty quick, but the tyres horsepower. All we can do is race the other opportunities if you’re on the right bike, and
are such a hard thing to fathom. You set the production Hondas, we are not even in the you get made out to be something special. To
bike up for what you want, and it doesn’t same race as the front guys, simple as that. get that chance from outside MotoGP is nearly
necessarily do it. You can sort it out for quick And with the tyres, on a Pirelli the limit is not impossible, Jonny Rea has had this problem
laps in practice, but the race is a completely clear so you can over ride it a bit. Not with the for years. That said, Eugene has landed on his
different thing to get your head around, doing Bridgestones, the limit is very clear. Jonny Rea feet with Aspar Honda next year. So there are
it consistently, it’s not easy for sure. I’d love a told me whatever they are doing in practice, is the odd exceptions, but it’s rare and never on
chance to have a full go at it, as every ride I what will happen in the race, and roughly they one of the top four bikes you need to

RACE FEATURE
I FEEL FOR JONNY REA, HE HAS BEEN SO racing is the future for sure. When Öhlins get
their heads around it things will get serious,
LOYAL TO HONDA OVER THE YEARS...” we were testing the standard Sachs ones.
Already the front end was amazing, the
amount of brake pressure you could put on to
actually win. They don’t appreciate the level time we saw a GP bike blow up? It happened the thing was mad, it just kept absorbing it,
of riders in WSB generally, though there are to Ben, and he won their first ever WSB title, pushing the tyre into the ground and turning.
superbike guys who’s style wouldn’t suit GP, but it meant nothing when he needed it to. One hundred percent, this is the future for
and vice versa. I think Eugene will be strong The biggest loyalty you get shown is usually racing and road, no doubt,” he concluded.
though, and if Jonny got a crack he would be from sponsors, lots have to me like Spidi and So then, a busy year, which no doubt will
too. When things move to Michelin, that X-LIte in recent years, and others. That said, earn him a fulltime ride in 2015. By the time
might shake things up. It’ll be a clean slate and BMW could have binned off Sylvain for me as you read this Leon may have raced the last few
a good time to join GP”. we could have won the series, but they rounds in BSB, or WSB, or perhaps even
Mr Rea has been waiting a long time for his decided to honour it when he returned. That MotoGP. Many are clamouring for his services
GP chance, hasn’t he? was fair enough, I was impressed by that, a lot and considering the experience he’s picked up
“I feel for Jonny, waiting so long with of teams wouldn’t have done that, they would in 2014, it’s not hard to see why. Good luck,
Honda. I learned early on that loyalty doesn’t have screwed him over for their own gain, so chap, and have a great 2015!
always count. Some manufacturers who make fair play to them I say.”
out it’s a family sport and you’re a part of that And then on to the German IDM series for
family, talk absolute shit, they’ll screw you BMW, why was that?
over soon as they feel they need to. Look at “Yeah, I did some development work for
Ben Spies and Yamaha, a bit of bad luck and it BMW in the IDM series on their clever
all goes totally wrong, but when was the last suspension. I think electronic suspension in
The MV was a very different

prospect for Leon in WSB
I THINK ELECTRONIC SUSPENSION IS THE

FUTURE, FOR ROADS AND RACING...”

FB RACING
Fagan
PICS: BONNIE LANE
I’M NOT RELIGIOUS, BUT THERE’S

SOMETHING DEEPLY SPECIAL ABOUT ASSEN...” Check out the load
on the rear...
W
hen Assen was introduced to the ‘British’ superbike won’t come anywhere near the rush you get from tipping into Rusken-
calendar, I was the first to jump on the massive bandwagon hoek at 165mph in top cog, kissing the limiter as you bounce off the
of scepticism that swept the paddock. But, having now inside kerb. You need monstrously huge testicles for some of the
been involved in the whole circus atmosphere, jumping on the Stena corners. Even the Gert Timmer chicane is gert lush!
Line to the Hook of Holland and spanking the P&H Motorcycles 899 I’d never raced at Assen. Benjamin and myself had been there on a
around one of the best circuits in the world, I’ve been converted. And it trackday earlier in the year riding standard 899 Panigales, but sampling
takes less time to get to than Knockhill... it at race pace was another matter. I thought I knew my way around, but
Still peaking from the last race at Cadwell Park, the penultimate when you’re entering corners with another 10-20mph with some of the
round of the Ducati TriOptions Cup rolled into Assen; aka, the Cathedral best riders in the UK, it proved to be in another dimension. There were
of Speed. I’m not religious, but there’s something deeply special about basics we could prepare for, like running a longer wheelbase for
this place. I don’t care what new drug the kids are taking these days – it high-speed stability, and lowering the bike after Cadwell as there aren’t
any jumps at Assen. And we needed rear-end grip by the ton.
We were on the pace instantly, ending the free practice in fifth, and
only marginally slower than my teammate and championship leader,
Leon Morris. With little wrong in set-up and gearing, it was only track
time, stretching the cable and pushing the boundaries that was going to
get me further up the grid.
Props to my other teammate, Dennis Hobbs for giving me a tow in
qualifying and teaching me a few lessons. Pushing for a win was going
to be trickier than bedding Sharon Stone, but I showed good pace and
could help my team clinch the championship in some form by getting
involved with rival protagonists and pinching points. Me and Dennis
stumbled upon each other during qualifying. He looked over his
shoulder, tapped on his seat, gave a thumbs up, and I got a chubby one.
The lap was full of errors and botty-clenching moments, desperately
trying to keep up with Hobbs, but the next time I saw my pit board, it
read P3. P3? Booooooom! I came in to check rear tyre pressure and was
till P3. I went out for another stint and was still P3. As the chequered
Gas it!
flag went out, I was still P3. Was I really going to land my debut front
row start at this most special of circuits?

FB RACING
One eye on the weather (the

other on lunch...)
Al had a shot on a minimoto

while he was out there...
No, of course I wasn’t. Leon and defending champion, Marty Nutt

both pulled the pin and relegated me to fifth. Still, not bad for a fat lad,
and only a tenth of a second off the front row. Things were tight.
Saturday’s race was run in perfect conditions. I fluffed the start, too
cautious with the unpredictable clutch release, and finished the first lap
in eighth. But the bike felt beautiful and I was oozing confidence, and better, but wanted to roll the dice. By the end of the warm-up lap, the
after a few banzai moves I was back in fifth place. The (usual) leading track was drying immensely rapidly. The job was in tatters.
quartet of Hobbs, Nutt, Morris and Rob Guiver were knocking seven I managed to stay near the front for the first few laps but those of you
bales of shit out of each other, which allowed me to edge closer. who have ridden with wets on a dry track will know how sketchy things
By the fourth lap, though, I was struggling to maintain this hectic can get. It was great fun drifting the 899 around, not so much fun falling
pace. As soon as the rear tyre was past its best, I couldn’t preserve any deeper into the pack. Eventually, I lost the front at turn three and
rhythm and simply had to consolidate fifth spot. Dennis took the win somehow managed to save it, but ended up in the gravel.
Rob Guiver, who was the only man to brave the conditions with dry
I WANTED TO ROLL THE DICE IN front and rear rubber, won the race as I wallowed to a miserable 17th.
What should have been an easy top-five turned into dropped
THE CONDITIONS ON TRACK...” championship points and a miserable ferry crossing home.
I’ve got to mention the P&H Motorcycles/Carl Cox boys for their
continued graft. The results at Assen and their grafting have clinched
from Guiver and Nutt. the championship; only Dennis and Leon can win the 2014 Ducati
One of the benefits of having Niall MacKenzie as the ambassador for TriOptions Cup, as 13 points separate the pairing as we head into the
the series is the help we receive from ‘Spuds’. He’s always there for final round at Silverstone, so the depressing ferry turned into a
set-up queries or is out standing on a corner spotting, dishing out Jägermeister drinking session and mild celebrations all round. Even
advice. We talked through my grip issues and came to a rough solution Kiyonari was mingling with fans on the boat, sinking pints and
for race two. But Niall’s help was made largely useless, as the rain provoking banter. He was even one of the last men standing!
clouds surrounded Assen and smothered the circuit with their tears. The 899s have provided some of the closest, most intimate racing at
As the pit lane opened, most of the grid had full wets fitted. BSB this season. Make sure you check-in at Silverstone, because it’s
Two-thirds of the track was bone-dry, the other third was piss-wet. The about to reach an explosive crescendo. Once again, thanks to Vanworx,
majority shoved in a dry rear tyre on the grid, but I thought a gamble South West Karting and White Dalton for their support. It’s gutting to
might work, hoping to capitalise on the wet sections and, as it had been think it’s taken three quarters of a season to get near the front boys and
declared a wet race, hoping it would rain again. I should have known somewhere where I believe we can run, but that’s racing...

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DUCATI WSB COLUMNIST
WORLD SUPERBIKE
Another
podium for
boyo...
Chaz and
H
i guys, another month rolls by and finally I have the wild blue
some racing to tell you about after our ludicrously yonder...
long summer break. Our first race back was at
Jerez, which is really not one of my favourite circuits. But
before Jerez I did a video with comedian Alan Davies for a
road safety campaign, at Castle Combe. It was a good fun
couple of days, and I learned to look ahead more than I
currently do. Yes, we do that in racing, but this is about
spotting hazards, scanning for potential issues, and so on.
Our instructors were great at it, they noticed stuff so fast it
was pretty impressive.
But on to Jerez, and the podium! It was good to stand
up there for a change and make progress. We really
suffered from grip issues there, but my overall race pace
was 20 seconds faster than it was last season, and a lot of
that I found in myself by adjusting my style. Grip is our
issue, that’s what kept me from being right up front at the
end of the race. At the start it was fine and I could stick
with race winner Marco Melandri easily, until the grip
dropped and we got to the final turn. He’d drag a good few
tenths every time on me there, and that was that. It’s a
shame as for the first eight laps the bike was mint, but
right now the tyre goes off quite dramatically and that’s
something we need to work on, the missing ingredient. I
was fourth in race two after a crap start, and couldn’t quite
catch Tom Sykes after a bunch of battles breaking through.
Folk have asked how our new and tighter race schedule
affects us. Aside from finishing a lot earlier, we’re on track in traffic and passed by bikes every five seconds!
for warm-up by 8.30am and then the first race is at While there it was good to see Ducati finish so close to
10.30am. If you get on the podium then you have all the the winner and great to see Rossi win again too. I think he
media debriefs and stuff to attend. Then you have your had that race covered, no matter what else went on.
team debrief to squeeze in, and you end up having lunch Funnily enough, I then went to Rossi’s off-road ranch
at the same time. You need to get something in you on Tuesday, which was fricking awesome. It’s something
quickly, but you have just enough time to take your suit special, he’s done it right and fair play to him. You can see
off, then have to put it back on again. Nothing much to how his ranch has brought his riding on. I watched videos
whinge about, it’s just a little more hectic to deal with. of him off-road a couple of years ago, and he looked like
After our race I went to Misano for a break and the GP. most road racers do on the dirt, which is uncomfortable.
Spending so much time at home Now he is very, very fast and the
during summer I wasn’t
bothered about going back this I WENT TO two-kilometre track is very well done
indeed. Almost everyone was
time, so I grabbed a Diavel off
Ducati to get from the beach to ROSSI’S RANCH AND there, even Marquez
turned up with his full
the track on. I even had Michael
Laverty on the back at times, IT WAS AWESOME! on trick Honda
off-roader and
riding pillion bitch, bitch! It’s a
good way to travel, and beats IT GOT SERIOUS support. It got a
bit serious and
the traffic going to the circuit.
Speaking of which, on the BETWEEN HIM AND dicey by the
end of the
Saturday I was going to cut
between two cars going into the MARQUEZ BY day, the lap
record was
track, and there was loads of
space between them. As I went
to go through, the car on the
THE END...” lowered by
two-seconds
and I think
right closed the gap off when they saw me coming. You Marquez beat Vale in the end,
bugger, I thought! I gave him a bit of a ‘WTF’ gesture and but only just. I’m certainly
got some gestures back in return. Then I realised that the looking forward to going
gesturer was in fact Paul Bird, Michael’s boss! He back there sometime.
double-took when I flipped my visor up and he twigged Until next month, folks,
who it was! I think he was getting fed up with being stuck take care!

COLUMNIST EX-RACER & TEAM MANAGER
MotoGP INSIDER
Steve
Parrish
W
ell, I guess there’s only
one place to start this
month, and that’s with
Valentino Rossi winning again. As soon
as he comes back, everyone is happy.
I’ve always said I thought he could win
races, I just don’t think he can win a
championship again, not a MotoGP
title anyway. But it was superb wasn’t
it? He rode brilliantly, had the crowd
behind him and he has definitely
changed his style this year to keep up
with the kids. Out of all the other guys,
he’s the one who has reacted best,
including to the latest tyres, while the
rest have stuck to their guns and taken
ages to get their shit back together. A
couple of things went in his favour
with Jorge choosing a wrong tyre,
Pedrosa being out to lunch and
Marquez falling off, but you need
to be fast to be in the position to This was about as far as
take advantage of others’ day Steve got all weekend...
days, and Rossi was. Had
Lorenzo chosen the right tyre configurations to be competitive.
we may have had a bit of a race, Going back to MVDM, his contract with
but then even if it was a bit Honda is apparently to send him to MotoGP
boring seeing him win again is in the third year after two with Ten Kate in
amazing, it even made the Stavros, ab WSB, but we’ve heard that before. I think there
normal papers! to get colla out will be clauses he needs to meet in there for
red!
Talking of boring races, that to happen, but I do hope so as we haven’t
how about some amazing ones? The latest British had a fast Dutchman in a long time. We’re still
supersport race from Assen was mind-boggling, have you waiting on whether Marco Melandri will choose to prop
seen Luke Stapleford’s style? It’s ridiculous! It looks like up the GP grid, or keeping winning in WSB, and Loriz Baz
he’s watched Marquez, then added another dollop of has been told he’s too tall for a GP bike! It looks as though
crazy to it. Bloody hell, he chucks the thing in and climbs the WSB exodus to GP isn’t going to happen, especially if
off it with his foot up way off the peg. The first time I saw Jonny Rea goes to Kawasaki alongside Tom Sykes. There’s
it I thought he was falling off! But then, he’s fast isn’t he? lots of exciting movement in racing about to happen, you
Randy Mamola used to do the same, granted, but mainly lot reading this will probably know more than me. I’m
because his legs were too short and these guys are doing it looking forward to commentating on it all, that’s for sure.
on purpose. Absolutely loving that series right now, five or Speaking of TV, my old partner Charlie Cox is nice and
six of them are constantly up for a busy these days, as director of the
win, usually on the last corner!
Then there’s World Supersport I DID ABOUT Metro newspaper would you
believe? People used to bash him
from Jerez, did you see that? What
a stonker, utter lunacy with TWO LAPS AT all the time, but what nobody ever
realises is he’s a smart cookie
smashing and bashing, pushing
and shoving. I feel for Jules Cluzel, I GOODWOOD ALL alright, and likely getting paid
more in a month that the BBC did
reckon he’d of won that race if his
MV Agusta had been working WEEKEND, THE BIKE in a year. Good luck to him I say.
I did manage to get to the
properly, but it kept jumping out of
gear, and that’s the title decided. I
must say that considering new
KEPT SEIZING...” Goodwood Revival, but may as
well have not taken my leathers.
Our bike kept seizing, I did about
champion Michael van der Mark only needed to finish, for two laps all weekend, and always came back on a trailer.
him to keep scrapping for the win was great to see. Good event though, I got arrested for arresting people
Supersport the world over proves you don’t need a while directing traffic, as I was dressed as a period copper!
single engine to have amazing races, unlike Moto2 which Worked really well, people took notice of me and did
has been a bit dreary all year. Lesser power allows rider to whatever I said, though I did get into a little bit of trouble.
get away with a bit more, and therefore other makes and Anyway, see you all next month!

In association with
I
All the best roads, corners and scenery Wales has to offer!
TRUTH, KNOWLEDGE, KNACKERED SLIDERS

In association with
What are you waiting for?

cenery
Great b
y roads
Happ rider
www.fastbikesmag.com wales 3
WELCOME TO
WALES
T
hese trips are fast
becoming the highlight of
my year. Yes, going to
exotic tracks and locations is epic, but
there are so many sublime routes on
04 INTRO
our doorstep that we often overlook
them. It all kicked off three years ago when
we did our trip to the French Alps – a
spectacular smorgasbord of mountain roads.
Then we did a lap of Ireland, which produced
some surprising routes. Last year we went to
Scotland, and that was a real eye opener. On that
supplement’s cover we declared the land to own
the best roads, the best corners and the best
scenery in Britain. But do you know what, I’m 14 MAXXIS
not so sure that’s right after this undertaking...
The reality of time and money means that
while we make regular incursions into Wales, we
don’t spend that much time there. This trip was
an opportunity to right that wrong as we set
about finding the ten best routes there. We spent
two days compiling these roads, some we knew
and others that we didn’t, but we could have shot
a week’s worth of beautiful photography on
almost any bend along these routes.
As you’ll see, Wales looks great as a backdrop, 15 MAP
but the riding itself is even better. From start to
finish, we were presented with an array of
different roads, with every type of corner
conceivable. We went in mid-September and got
glorious weather, almost deserted roads and the
opportunity to really discover whether these are
the best roads in Britain. It’s a close run thing,
with Wales and Scotland vying for the
title. Why not make your own mind
up and have a blockbuster day out! 19 TRACKS
WWW.FASTBIKESMAG.COM
EDITORIAL
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4 wales www.fastbikesmag.com
In association with
ROUTE
ROUTE
06 B4235/B4598 22 A44
ROUTE ROUTE
08 B4560 24 A4120
ROUTE ROUTE
10 A4061/A4107 26 A4212/B4391
ROUTE
ROUTE
12 A4069 28 A4086
ROUTE
ROUTE
20 A483/B4358/A483 30 A452/A525
WALES
F
or most of us, Wales isn’t very far away. come and ride round the country, probably. Yes,
Whether it be the bits at the top for those it rains, but pick the right time and you’ll be able
of us in the North West, the middle bit for to ride for days with the sun on your back and a
the Brummies, or South Wales for anyone near smile on your face.
the M4, a trip to the principality is easily possible We’ll keep a welcome in the hillside, so they
in a day. To see the best of the country, why not say, and on the whole the locals are pretty
take a few days off and explore everything it has friendly, with plenty of bike mad Welsh to stop
to offer – there’s more than you’d think... and talk to at the popular bike haunts. The police,
But why would you go in the first place? Well, however, take a dim view of treating the roads as
that big bit of rock that sticks out of the side of a racetrack, especially historically in the North,
England has an awful lot of varied riding to offer. so use your head to avoid a confrontation – Araf
From the Black Mountains and Brecon Beacons means slow…
in the south, to the rollercoaster routes in the We took the chance to visit this fabled land in
middle and the majestic views in and around September, and had a rocking time compiling this
Snowdonia national park, there’s plenty to tempt list. It’s not a massive country, so you can cover
us into a trip – and the roads are fantastic. the most important routes over a weekend, but
There are no expensive ferries to take, only the remember that there’s lots more to discover
toll booths of both Severn crossings to contend (especially if you’re of an off-road persuasion).
with – and they’re free for bikes. So that’s like the But if we’ve missed any out, let us know and
Welsh Government actively encouraging us to we’ll head there as quickly as we can.
In association with
COSTS
With bikes being free on the Severn crossings,
and no ferries to consider, all you’re paying for is
your petrol, which makes Wales a better solution
for many. Scotland’s great, but it isn’t half a long
way away if you’re of a southerly persuasion.
NAVIGATION
A sat nav isn’t crucial as Wales isn’t that big in
the grand scheme of things. But there are a few
little short cuts and junctions worth taking, so
make sure you note them down in advance so
you don’t miss out.
POLICE
Three forces are responsible for policing in Wales,
and while treatment should in theory be equal,
each force has their own priorities – and for a
while North Wales’s was to catch speeding
bikers. The infamous bike-hating chief constable
Richard Brunstrom (aka the Mad Mullah of the
Traffic Taliban) has since retired, but there are
still regular purges on speeding hotspots by all
forces. Check on each individual forces’ website
for camera locations or the GoSafe website at
We’ll keep a welcome in the hillside, butthe

police take a dim view of racing on the road... ”
GETTINGTHERE www.gosafe.org or try an aggregator like www.
The M4, M54 and A55 all get the non Welsh into speedcamerasuk.com/wales.htm to try and stay
Wales with very little fuss and in double quick one step ahead.
time. From there, decent roads aren’t very far
away meaning that you’re not spending too much WEATHER
of your precious weekend or day off struggling to Wales receives more than its fair share of rain, of
get to where you want to be. Otherwise, some of which much of the extra goes to England. Politics
the lesser roads into Wales, like the A44 (as you’ll aside, it’s best to pack some waterproofs if you’re
see), the A40 and the A458 become part of the going away for a few days and also be aware that
trip by being thoroughly entertaining in their own road surfaces can change massively when they’re
right – as well as a means to getting you to where wet. Snow isn’t uncommon in late Autumn or
you want to be. early Spring if you’re being brave – and the
higher you go, the colder it’s going to get.
LANGUAGE
Yes, language! This is more for our foreign ACCOMMODATION
readers, as you may come across some Welsh If you’ve decided to make a few days of your trip,
speakers at any point in Wales, but the area then there are plenty of biker friendly hostelries
around Bala is particularly proud of the Welsh to choose from. Try www.thebikerguide.co.uk/
language, so if you can’t understand the locals bikerfriendlyaccommodationwales.html as a first
ask them nicely to speak in English! port of call for somewhere to stay.
ROUTE
CHEPSTOW –
ABERGAVENNY
ROAD: B4235/B4598
DISTANCE: 25.6 MILES boasting big banks and blind crests forcing you to
keep a steady nerve as you click between second,
S
ilence prevailed over our first photospot third and fourth. The road surface is good, there’s
of the trip, on the B4235 just out of not much in the way of habitation on this route,
Chepstow, until a quartet of three and traffic is almost absent in the week, meaning
aftermarket piped Beemer RRs and a KTM RC8 R you don’t have to risk many overtakes on
shattered the silence in beautiful style. You could whatever counts for a straight round here.
hear them coming for miles off, revs rising and After you’ve pottered through Usk, the B4598
falling with each passing turn – sonically denoting to Abergavenny is faster and more open, but the
what a ragged ribbon of road this really is. They reward at the end of that route is a cup of tea at
eventually flew past in a blur of colour and noise, the Oasis café at the bus station – or a new biker
riding hard towards Usk – and I was about to friendly venue called the Steel Horse café
join them. Game on! on the B4598 itself. What a way to
Only a few miles from the original LOOK kick off the journey…
(and now decidedly shabby) Severn
O R
OUTwiFdely known by :
Bridge, this was supposed to be a Though not
the area, the
those outside of
gentle introduction to the country’s of the fun that
police are aware
s road. Some
roads, but instead this rollercoaster can be had on thi esafe B
route provided a day’s worth of thrills use it as their Bik
en t route...
assessm
in the space of about half an hour. It
really is a stunning road, made all the more
pretty by the sun setting off the early turning
leaves; and made all the more enticing by it
seemingly being closed to traffic....
It all goes bananas about 200 yards off the
A466’s turn off to Usk, and the corners are A
relentless until you hit the junction onto the
busier A472 that takes you into town. The route
is lined with forests and fields, with corners
In association with
This rollercoaster route provided aday’s

worth of thrills in about half an hour... ”
The road drops beneathyou
and you’re presented withthe
amazing ribbon you’ll ride... ”
LOOK
OUTrepFuteOdRto:be on
The road is
jurisdiction of
the border of the
BEAUFORT– Dyfed-Powys an
d Gwent police
forces, although
that does
with creatures less attuned to the green
cross code. The moorland steadily
TALGARTH
ROAD:B4560
not mean chases
end at
the country line…
climbs with some relatively gentle kinks
before the world drops beneath you after a
DISTANCE:16.8MILES few miles and you’re presented with the
amazing ribbon of road you’re about to undertake.
I
t may be fairly short, especially the most A series of sharp corners leaves you in no doubt
interesting bit over the big hill in the middle, but that you’re right in the middle of the action, and
this road over the beginnings of the Brecons is what with a polished surface in part, you have to
perfectly formed – although chucking down some navigate these turns wisely and feel for the grip
fresh Tarmac over a few corners wouldn’t hurt… available – not charge hard straight away and
As you climb up out of Beaufort and the major discover a dodgy surface. The views are immense up
road building that’s happening on the trunk route here, especially at a perfectly placed car park that is
A465, you’re greeted by the first cattle grid of the trip, in a prime location for a quick snap. Then it’s on
meaning that you may be sharing the road ahead with the show before your tyres cool, heading down
In association with
ROUTE
towards Llangynidr, taking in the first hairpin turn of

the day. Everyone from part time rally drivers to boy
racers to lorry drivers can make a pig’s ear of this, so B
be vigilant – at least the visibility is good to spot
anything errant coming the other way.
After going over the second cattle grid the hedges
come back into play with the run up to Talgarth,
although you’ve had the best of the road by now
– and only the trip further to Three Cocks is all that’s
standing between you and turning round to do it all
the other way. The Circuit of Wales is being built not
far away, so this could be a road that sees some
A
warm up action in the future. But be warned, we’ve
seen it sunny up here one minute, snowing the next,
so pick your moment wisely…
you quickly pick up the spirit of the ride after the
town as the hairpins continue on the south side.
There’s a choice to make here, which is to keep
on the A4061 to sample a few more tight turns
(and beyond if you venture onto the A4093), but
HIRWAUN – PORT if you switch to the A4107 towards Port Talbolt
TALBOLT
ROAD: A4061/A4107
then you manage to fit in a more relaxed road
towards the coast, but still with its fair share of
LO O K challenges.
DISTANCE: 30 MILES OUT FatOtheRtop: . So of This is more than an entertaining way
An ice cream getting between the M4 in the south
ds prove to be
A
s you ride down the many of these roa people to and the more northerly A465, it’s a proper
for
frustrating slow A465 popular enough good run in its own right, although it’s
at the top of the Valleys, park up and flog bumpy in places and the whole road could
ok out
refreshments. Lo
you see a big lump of rock to as they pull out... do with a new surface sometime soon –
your south that promises much. don’t hold your breath though…
And after a blast up the A4061 you get
your reward in the form of some fast turns through
the trees and then a wide hairpin enticing you to
A
carve through it. And that’s just the beginning...
Mind, though, as the surface isn’t brilliant,
with a few bumps just in the wrong place. This is
a turn that takes a few goes to get right, but at
least you get to see what’s coming the other side.
Then you charge up to the summit, where again B
there’s an aptly placed car park for you to gaze
down at the scenery before you. If you press on
then you come across a few more miles worth of
great turns with rock on one side and big drop
offs on the other before you get to Treherbert.
The slow trundle through town follows, but
In association with
You get your reward in the formof ROUTE
some fast turns through the trees... ”

There are some corners
up herewith a few extra
and unexpected degrees
of turn... ”
In association with
BRYNAMMAN
ROUTE - LLANGAGOG
ROAD: A4069
DISTANCE: 12 MILES
T
his has to vie for the title, among a few
select others, of the best road in Britain. In
lots of ways this route over the Black
Mountains is much like the B4560 and has a similar
look and feel to it, but the A4069 offers more
corners, possesses a better road surface and looks
seriously stunning while you’re on the hoof.
Speaking of animals (or their parts), you not only
have to contend with the ubiquitous sheep as you
head over the hill, but there are ponies on the
moorland too. But not all the fauna is land based,
and riding alongside a pair of gracefully gliding Red
Kites was a pretty special experience. While they
hunt for their prey in the grass way below the road
line, you can get on with hounding down the next
turns – and it doesn’t take long to find them.
The corners come thick and fast as you head up
to a not quite giddy height of nearly 500 metres,
with a great variety of turns packed in. There are
some quick flicks as well as some more substantial
corners with a few extra degrees of turn when you
think there won’t be, and then a tricky hairpin bend
that no matter how many times you go round, it
always feels clumsy. If you’re heading north, you’ll
tick the hairpin off and race downhill. Once past a
dry stoned walled bridge, you may think that the
fun’s over as you cross the cattle grid, but you
need to keep your wits about you
LOOK through to Llangadog itself.
OUT FcanOpoRpu:pon houses There are more trees here, a few
and a couple of roads –
Little springs point,so
tany
the roadatalmos ou ldb e whereas on the mountain you only
isc
rideasif apuddle of any have to worry about animals,
ex
sittingonthe ap
trecce, oncoming traffic and your own
corner(for your firs
B at least…). bravado. The road from here looks
straight on the map, but is far from it,
with curve after curve taking up all
available brain power.
It’s an epic road, all of it, and one that you could
happily camp out on all day. It gets busy at the
weekends, and don’t be surprised to see the police
making sure that no-one gets ideas above their
station. Get anything wrong and you’re going to
A end up at the bottom of a very steep and stony hill,
so make sure you focus, because a road this good
deserves 100 per cent of your attention.
SUPERMAXX DIAMOND
W
e shod our longterm KTM 1290 Super
Duke R on a set of new Maxxis
SuperMaxx Diamond tyres (look out
for the MA3DS title on them), and they proved to
offer a great blend of grip, reassurance and
stability on this booming bike. The tyre’s USP is
the obvious diamond shoulder tread pattern – but
there’s more to them than meets the eye.
The use of the shoulder pattern is clear – to
give enhanced grip and feel at the edge,
especially so when conditions aren’t as clement
as you’d hope for. You can feel the tyres move
onto this part of the rubber when you start to
reach some interesting angles, and while a little
strange the first time round, you soon get used to
this reaction from the tyre – and, indeed, look for
it as a judge of angle. But the advantages of a
pattern like this are clear when it’s wet. While
other tyres become nigh-on slick in this area, the
SuperMaxx Diamonds come into their own.
They’re not quite a race wet, but they’re as close
as you’re going to get with a road tyre, and
they’re not the compromise you might think they
would be in the dry. The new tyres have a 10 per
cent larger footprint at 35 degrees (no, you’re not
Marquez – this is the real world), but corner
camber angle is upped by 10 degrees. Elsewhere,
the tyres have a new Ultra tread compound
which helps dry traction, both under acceleration
at the rear and braking at the front. The sidewalls
have been stiffened so improve handling
consistency – an important facet when you
combine the shoulder’s tread pattern.
We’ve seen a set of the exact same tyres fitted
to the KTM for £170 for the pair. That’s
impressive value for a tyre that is enormously
adept on the road. For more information and
details of stockists, head to www.maxxis.co.uk.
ROUTE KINGTON -
ABERYSTWYTH
ROAD: A44
DISTANCE: 59.1 MILES
A
ROUTE LLANDOVERY
NEWTOWN
-ROAD: A483/B4358/A483
B
A
ROUTE
B BEAUFORT –
BRYNAMMAN TALGARTH
ROAD: B4560
ROUTE LLANGAGOG
-ROAD: A4069
DISTANCE: 12 MILES
A B
A
A
A
ROUTE HIRWA –
PORT TALBOLT ROUTE CHEPSTOW –
ROAD: A4061/A4107 ABERGAVENNY
DISTANCE: 30 MILES ROAD: B4235/B4598
In association with
In association with

B
ROUTE CAPEL CURIG – A A
CAERNARFON ROUTE
ROAD: A4086
LLANGOLLEN
DISTANCE: 18.1 MILES RUTHIN
–ROAD: A452/A525
B B
ROUTE BALA - A
FFESTINIOG
ROAD: A4212/B4391
DISTANCE: 183 MILES
ROUTE ABERYSTWYTH
DEVIL’S
–ROAD: BRIDGE B
A4120 A
B
In association with
With Snowdonia
as a backdrop,there’s
no finerplaceto
watch racing... ”
TRACK ATTACK
W
ales is home to three tracks you can curve at the end of the back straight.
use – and soon to be base to a very Llandow is the final track you can currently
important fourth – as well as a use for a trackday, and the circuit holds its own
unique track in the middle of a municipal park. events there on a regular basis. We use this track
Anglesey is our first port of call, as we’ve as it makes a cracking test circuit, what with its
chosen this track in the past to host our massively mix of corners and the Tarmac’s undulations. If
important Sportsbike of the Year test on two you’re expecting cracking catering and a
occasions. The track offers a phenomenal mix of sumptuous pit complex, you’d better think again,
stupidly fast corners and really technical slow but what the track lacks in facilities it makes up
ones, making it an insane workout for man and for in value for money and entertainment.
machine. It may seem like it’s a million miles The Circuit of Wales should be in operation in
away, but it’s only an hour and a half down the 18 months to two years time, and that really will
A55 – which is dual carriageway throughout. The be a track to behold, but until it’s built the last
track is also used for plenty of race meets, and location we can watch motorsport at is at
with Snowdonia as a backdrop there’s no finer Aberdare. One weekend every July, the town’s
place to watch the thrills and spills. park is opened up to racing, with all manner of
Pembury is the next big track on the list, and machinery thundering round the mile long tight
again this Welsh circuit has lots of reasons to visit and twisty circuit. It’s well worth a visit just to
(and was reputed to be one of Ayrton Senna’s see insane action happening in a park!
favourite tracks). It seems longer than its 1.5 mile contact:
length, and once you’ve got the super tight first
WWW.ANGLESEYCIRCUIT.COM
corner out of the way the rest of the track really WWW.PEMBREYCIRCUIT.CO.UK
flows. The two standout corners are the massive WWW.LLANDOW.COM
lefthand turn of Dibeni, which takes ages to turn WWW.CIRCUITOFWALES.COM
into one flowing turn, then the ballsy Woodlands WWW.ABERDARE-PARK-ROAD-RACES.CO.UK
LOOK
OUT FOR: scattered about, but nothing that
LLANDOVERY Doub lewhitelines,ast
plenty of them he here’s
rea
you’respottedcros nd if
interrupts the enjoyment of what’s
-ROAD:
NEWTOWN
A483/B4358/A483
you’llbe introuble
justspeed the Po
singthem
.It’snot
lice is
becoming an awesome ride –
especially if you take a left at
Beulah and head off on the B4358.
after...
DISTANCE: 54.1 MILES This is the short cut that lops off
Builth Wells, and like any good short cut
T
his route is the stuff of legend, and a firm it adds an element of adventure to
favourite here at Fast Bikes. It’s the sort of proceedings – as well as some pretty views.
road that starts off innocuously enough, Like the rest of the route, the gradients are
but then before you know it you’re flicking your gentle, but with curves in all the right places it
steed this way and that, like you’re riding a means that you’re never on a level plane for too
Newton’s Cradle, in a frantic attempt to steer it long. The scenery is green and pleasant, but not so
through the bends that come relentlessly. pretty as to put you off, meaning you can
We’ve normally just done the Crossgates to concentrate on the vanishing points that never
Newtown section, but seeing as we’d just done the seem to let up.
A4069 and found ourselves in Llandovery we You’re not in Crossgates for long, and once you
picked up the A483 and headed north. The fabled go past the sinister ANPR cameras (monitoring
road starts off in sensible fashion, but the corners road tax evasion and trying to spot any sheep
soon come jumping out at you. It’s nothing too rustlers) we’re back on the road that we know and
fearsome to begin with, but as the miles quickly love – as this is the route onto the road if you come
click off the rhythm of the road becomes nothing into mid-Wales on the A44. This road gets better
but brilliant. There are junctions and houses the further along you go, and before long the
The fabled road starts offin

sensible fashion, but the corners
soon come jumping out at you... ”
In association with
ROUTE
fourth and fifth gear corners turn into second and
B
third ones, with the last few miles into Newtown
being exhilaration defined. The surface isn’t what
it once was, and the shell gripped corners have lost
much of their shell in places, but by and large
there’s nothing to upset a road biased set-up.
The road does has a reputation, and we’ve seen
speed camera vans in operation on other visits.
Google the road and its association with accidents
is obvious, so there’s plenty to make you keep you
on your toes. It can get frustratingly busy at times
(for mid-Wales) as it is a trunk road heading north
east, so pick your moment as towards Newtown
the chances to legally overtake become rare. The
road forges northward to Chester (and southward
down to Swansea), but by Newtown you should
have had your fill – and a new favourite road will
have been etched to your brain…
ROUTE
KINGTON -
ABERYSTWYTH
ROAD: A44
W
ales has some cracking roads that
span the country in one direction or
another (we’ve just read about the
A483, but also the A5, A487 and A470), but the
A44 just about takes the title as being the best of
these. It cuts through the middle of Wales and
takes on the topography – for better or worse.
Starting on the border at Kington, you may
wonder what all the fuss is about, but you’ll soon
come across an amazing set of bends halfway
between here and Crossgates. It’s a special little of the run. With a set of magnificent corners
section that hugs the side of the hills, meaning carving through the impossibly green hillside,
you’ll have a lot on your plate for a mile or so. there is a slight sense of this being almost TT-like.
Things calm a little after that, and that’s a With a good road surface, wide carriageways and
reflection of the road itself, as there are some dead light(ish) traffic, this section can be joyous. The
straight sections that you have to control your scenery is pretty impressive, although not so much
natural urges on (for fear of encountering a law so that tourists are gawping and taking pictures
enforcement vehicle at some point), before some everywhere, leaving you to flow through here.
laugh-laden sections that make it all worth it. If you’re after a long ride through to the seaside
After Rhayder, the road becomes the A470, with then you’ve just found it. It’s not a balls out
a few turns here and there, but nothing much road by any stretch of the imagination,
to write home about. Then at Llangurig O K but there are some great stretches to
LO
you jump back on the A44 for the final :
OUTtarFgeOtedRby the play on. Hit Aberystwyth for a tea, a
25 miles into Aberystwyth where the road is mooch or even the night (there are
Th e
pretty fields turn into a much more e 120 bikers stacks of B&Bs) and you’ve then
Police, and in Jun
macho backdrop. Again, things start re sto pp ed with the police given yourself all sorts of options to
we tted a
mi
straight enough, then descend into a finding 71 had com for go home – including one often
traffic offence, 39
myriad of turns over the middle section speeding... overlooked route back…
In association with
If you’re after a long rideto

the seaside, then you’vejust
found it... ”
LOOK
OUT Fh isOa R :
popular
Aberystywt
on routes With a decent surface, there’s
stopover for bikers rk in a
t pa
around Wales, bu not much to stand in your way
erwise
designated bay oth slap until things get very tight around
ABERYSTWYTH zealous wardens
will
a ticket on... Devil’s Bridge. There’s one of those
–ROAD:
DEVIL’S
A4120
BRIDGE waterfall things here, Mynach Falls,
so stop and have a gawp – it’s all very
pretty. If you’re not that fussed then make your
DISTANCE: 15.7 MILES way north form here, taking in some brilliant
bends along the way. Take the B4343 if you want
W
e stayed the night in Aberystwyth, the journey to last a little longer (or jump off the
surviving to tell the tale, and would A44 here if you’re heading westward) where the
have headed north first thing the next road falls down a hill before climbing back up.
morning had I not checked my emails. I was There is a fair amount of tourist traffic heading
tipped off about another road in the area – the this way, so look out for camper vans and the odd
A4120 – saying that between this and the A44 it tourist bus heading to the falls.
formed the local Aber-TT track (cheers Byrn!).
So with aching limbs from the day before, we
set out on this unknown road, and once we left the
town behind us, we were treated to an absolute
cracker. It’s got a wealth of different turns – and A
hardly any straights to its name – meaning my
morning work out was done by the time we
reached the A44 again.
B
There’s only one or two hamlets up here on this
side of the valley to the A44, so traffic was almost
absent, although there are a few junctions to roads
that are heading north to join it. The views are ROUTE
pretty special over the valley, and the road itself
follows the path of the Vale of Rheidol railway and
it feels like it’s clinging to a contour line.
In association with
The road feels like it’sclingingto

the contour line of the valley... ”
The road combines a heady mixture
of tighter turns and faster corners... ”
28 summer 203 fastbikesmag.com
In association with
this has got one of the most

R
OUTE
BALA - impressive corners in the country
FFESTINIOG
ROAD: A4212/B4391
at its most northerly tip, but the
rest of the road, though
spectacular, doesn’t offer too much
DISTANCE: 183 MILES in the way of cornering thrills. That’s
why you need to turn right onto the B4391.
S
trap yourself in, things are about to get As we turned onto it, we saw some new
very busy. Bala is a stop off for many on Jaguars being put through their paces (the cars,
a ride through the area, and the big not the animals) and this gives you some sort of
draw is the A4212 around the Celyn lake. True, indication of what’s about to follow. Cross over
the cattle grid and you are presented with a strip
of grey Tarmac between the rambling moorland
on either side. Combining a heady mixture of
tighter turns that then pinged off crests at their
exit, with other fast turns requiring pinpoint
accuracy, the B4391 is an absolute riot to ride.
You’ve got to keep your eyes peeled for
sheep, and sheep shit is a genuine hazard in the
wrong place. Otherwise the surface was one of
the grippiest of the trip and we hardly came
across any traffic coming the other way – Jaguars
notwithstanding. But there were two cars of
interest we did see, that of an unmarked police
Skoda estate and a patrol car that followed about
15 minutes later. So the police know this road is
a playground for some, so keep your wits about
you and hold back if you have a hunch.
I had no idea this road was so good. Not
many talk about it on the internet, partly
because so many miss it by sticking on the
A4212. But this road really is
something special, with only one
road coming off it and some LOOK
impressive scenery for those OUT FOR:
riding at a pace to enjoy it. You’reclosetoSno
cou wdon
ntrynow,andalth
B4391willlargely ough the
be avoided by
caravaners andc
ampe
roads aroundthe rs, the
areawill
be saturatedwith
’em!
A
CAPEL CURIG –
CAERNARFON
ROAD: A4086
LOOK
DISTANCE: 18.1 MILES OUTrouFndOheRre:would
Pedestrians
red to called
probably be prefer s lots of
walkers, but there’ boots
J
ust when you think things ddy
couldn’t get better, the A4086 them in their mu
; give
and walking sticks
comes along to blow your socks them a wide berth
.
off. If you’re heading to the coast or on
towards Anglesey it’s tempting to stay on
the A5 on your way up, but if you peel off onto the
A4086 at Capel Curig then the return on your
riding investment is huge.
The first few miles offer plenty of promise of
what’s to come, but you actually have to turn right
onto the road (rather than go straight on, on the
A498) to get the best of the action on offer. This is
the Llanberis Pass (as in a pass at Llanberis, it
doesn’t pass Llanberis), and is a spectacular piece
of road in whatever context you want to judge that
by – just don’t look down...
The blast to the top is interrupted by some
corners that seem to go off the edge of the world,
and you can’t help but respect what little room
you have up here. Then you’ve got the natural
stopping point at the top (with a handily placed
café) for a stunning setting with a brew in hand.
The road down snakes its way past big boulders
and vans parked up with disgorged rock climbers
already dangling off the edge of the mountains to
each side. The dry stone wall denotes the patch of
Tarmac you’re to stay in (and keeps a lot of the
animals at bay), and really focuses the mind.
However, there’s plenty to see here, and that’s true
whatever vehicle you’re in, so watch out for
tourists crossing onto your side of the road at
almost any point – I encountered two...
Once you’ve got to Llanberis (with its railway to
take you up to the top of Snowdon), you’ve had
the best of the road, but if you hook a left you can
go behind Wales’ biggest peak and blast back on
the A4085. This is the low side of the land, and the
road itself isn’t anywhere near as spectacular or
flowing, but it’s a different option to get you back
– and if you travel on it further south you will be
agog at the fact that this is actually classified as an
A-road at all.
The road is more than a stretch of Tarmac, it’s
one of those routes that becomes a journey in its
own right. You won’t forget it anytime soon…
In association with
It’s a spectacular
piece of road,justdon’t
look down... ”
ROUTE
A
LOOK
OUT F OR:
road, then why
If you like the
there. The
not stay the night
ero sa café has rooms, so
Pond
u can catch the last and
yo
y while
first light of the da
on your bike…
LLANGOLLEN ROUT
–ROAD:
RUTHIN
A452/A525
E

without the slow hairpin turns. Cross the
H
aving just peaked, literally, roundabout at the A5104 and you get a nadgery
on the Llanberis Pass, we’d run on the Nant Y Garth Pass (the A525) through
psychologically done the trip, but in the to Ruthin – although the closer you get to town the
back of our minds we had one more road to make fewer corners there are to enjoy. Otherwise do a
it ten – the Horseshoe Pass. Late, tired and aching, quick U-turn and repeat the fun until you run out
it would have been tempting to skip this last road, of fuel – and if you’re in need of the human fuel,
but because it was a minor diversion from our stop at the Ponderosa café at the summit of the
route on the A5 home we couldn’t turn it down pass where you can take in the stunning views.
– especially with a name like Horseshoe Pass. You’ll be in good company as bikers flock to the
Llangollen is a busy town, but once you find the café for all the right reasons…
A452 heading north the traffic seriously thins out.
You climb up through woods and then the drama
of the environment takes a turn for the better as B
the road negotiates itself through the landscape.
This is what we came for; a series of tight bends
that slowly climb their way up and over the hill/
mountain side.
We’re back in sheep country now, and there’s a
lot of them on the road between the cattle grids,
meaning take heed and watch for any flashing
lights from road users coming the other way. They
seemed feistier than other sheep in Wales too,
more ready to stand their ground, so you’ve been A
warned.
The fun carries on during the descent, but
In association with
We couldn’t turndown
this route, especially witha
name like that... ”
In association with
DON’T
FORGET THE REST…
T
hat’s our top ten, and we’re pretty
confident in our judgement here. But
that’s not to say that there’s no road
stock left in Wales – because nothing could be
further from the truth! Though most of it may be
better accessed by a deftly set-up naked machine
or big supermotard (as well as Wales having
some of the best offroad trails in the world),
there’s still plenty of chances to let rip on a
sportsbike – and here are some of our favourites. West, St David’s and Fishguard as well as some
B-road belters, like the B4329 and B4313.
Chepstow to Monmouth
The A466 offers a decent alternative if you don’t Llanwdra to Lampeter
fancy the B4235 for whatever reason. It follows This could make an alternative route to
the river Wye through some pretty scenery, all the Aberystwyth via the A485, offering all sorts of
while offering some great corners. Alternatively, twists and turns along its not inconsiderable
the B4293 is a decent ride too, make a round trip! length.
Cowbridge to Bridgend Brecon to Dolgellau

No, not on the A48, but rather on the B4270 and If you’ve got to get from Brecon to Dolgellau and
the B4265. These roads aren’t particularly big, you’re not in a hurry, just stick on the A470. It’s a
but they offer a tough challenge, especially on the proper good ride with plenty of entertaining bits
run into Bridgend where there’s a series of along the way.
impressive corners to get right.
Machynlleth to Dolgellau
Pembrokeshire Fancy a little lap of an archipelago? Then stick on
The roads around here are very pretty indeed. the A493 from Machynlleth to Dolgellau as it
There’s a triangle of a route between Haverford hugs the coastline. There’s plenty to see here,
with your fair share of action along the way.
Mid Wales
Just pick a B-road anywhere between Welshpool,
Oswestry and Llangollen and you can entertain
yourself for hours and get lost between the banks.
Anglesey
A lap of Anglesey offers a chance to see the whole
island in one hit. A round route on the A4080 and
A5025 is worth undertaking. It’s certainly more
interesting than just blasting up the A55…
Off the A5
Up in North Wales there are a few options to cut
between the A5 and the A55. The A548, A543
and A494 are some of the best as it’s quiet, and
In short, araf!
the roads not as straight as they look on the map.
00
0
9 01

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295BHP KAWASAKI NINJA H2R!

WILD NEW 200MPH+ SUPERCHARGED SPORTSBIKE UNVEILED

THE LEAN TIM ES W ITH TH E AWESOME NEW

58 THAT BLOKE THERE, HE’S A

82 ASENSIBLE NUTTERS CHOICE 126 TO ASS(EN) ABOUT

Contents IT’S THE NEWS

NAKED MIDDLE GREATS Legal .................................................93

YOUR LIFE ON BIKES

Japan vs Project Bikes ....................................113

Race Feature ................................... 120

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nd ar y Fren ch en durance race saw the ﬁnal

AND THEY’RE OFF...

 GARMIN: VIRB ELITE

MAGURA:HC3 the sides of the body,

MIVV: KTM SUPER DUKE R CANS

SHARK RACE-R PRO

PIC: AJB PHOTOGRAPHIC

toe slider replacement. And the fundamentals

WORDS: SIMON 'ROOTSY' ROOTS

It may be small, but it

IT WAS A CASE OF SELECTING

DASH ERGONOMICS ABS

MOTOR REAR SEAT

TECHNICAL KTM RC 390

Type 373.2cc single cylinder, DOHC, four stroke

Frame Steel trellis frame

WORDS: SIMON 'ROOTSY' ROOTS PICS: MARCO CAMPELLI

A MODULAR AND MUSCULAR MOTOR

All ﬁve bikes were available at the start – but

Are you after a

THE CORSARO USES TECHNOLOGY

Type 1,187cc, 87-degree, l/c, v-twin

Frame Tubular steel trellis

EVERYONE WHO gearing, it feels livelier. The pick-up is

RODE IT CAME OFF enough to raise a smile or overtake a

WITH A SMILE ON On track the speed built quickly

THEIR FACE...” approaching corner before you

HONDA CB650F ABS £6,399 excitement high enough

to work so well in its KAWASAKI Z800 £7,499

‘perfect throttle response’, there’d be

JUST IMAGINE may just tempt many an A2 buyer

WHAT THIS BIKE Verdict 8/10

LOST 40KG... ” + ENGINE, HANDLING, STYLING, STUNTS!

It's brilliant here, and also

GENERATE SUCH wheelies. It's your one-stop-

A COMPELLING Al's Verdict 10/10

Wheelbase 1,450mm 1,445mm 1,480mm 1,395mm

Price £6,399 £7,499 (E version £6,899) £8,995 (Dark £8,795) £8,149

Highest peak torque:

The Ducati, meanwhile, is a terriﬁc bike admire or lust after it.

WORDS: SIMON ‘ROOTSY’ ROOTS

THE A537 TAKES

The A54 is one of theg

The menace of the

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