Fast Bikes July 2018 Issue 341

GUY’S RETRO RACER ROADSTER RIVALRY WE CHECK OUT HIS LATEST CHALLENGE

The biggest, the toughest, ! the fastest test

HOW TO:

MASTER DONINGTON PARK

R1 BUY A USED 2011 YAMAHA PREPARE FOR A TRACKDAY K HIRE A BIKE TO RIDE ON TRAC

TUONO FACTORY ORY VS SPEED TRIPLE RS

JULY 2018 ISSUE 341

D: TESTED I LL RE PI LO L DIAB ROSSO CORSA II

ISSUE 341 JULY 2018

IT’S THE NEWS!

Upfront .............................................8 All the juiciest goss.

GEARED UP!

18

Products.......................................... 12 All the latest, coolest and trickest products.

THE KNOWLEDGE

Used Buyer’s Guide......................... 78

Everything you need to know about buying a 2015 R1.

MASTERCLASS

Legal ................................................93 When the summons arrives, don’t get court out.

Track Attack....................................84 How to master the best of British circuits.

This month: Donington Park.

TESTS COVER STORY

Sportsbike of The Year ................. 18

Know Your.......................................98

The biggest, toughest, fastest most comprehensive sportsbike test on the planet.

Trackday Prep .................................88

Aprilia Tuono V4 vs Triumph Speed Triple ................... 56

YOUR LIFE ON BIKES

Pirelli Diablo Rosso Corsa II.......... 72

ECU flashing. What is it and why do we need to do it?

Dean Ellison talks us through the best way to get ready for a trackday.

You & Yours.....................................94 All of your adventures!

Chatter ............................................97 It’s only fair we give the best readers in the world a page of their own!

Addiction.........................................64 Rob Jarvis shows us his limited edition MV F3 800 RC.

COVER STORY

64

Can Triumph’s new steed take on the almighty Tuono?

If you’re after some new rubber for fast road riding or trackdays, these new Pirellis might be just the ticket.

FEATURES

Get on track .................................. 50 Our guide to hiring a track bike for your first or your fiftieth trackday.

OUR LIFE ON BIKES

Staff Bikes..................................... 101 Neil picks his new KTM test bike up as Carl gets reacquainted with riding on the road on the Ninja 400.

Kawasaki Ninja 400 Suzuki GSX-R1000R • KTM 1290 Super Duke •

•

•

•

Yamaha R1M Yamaha R6

RACE SECTION

Pit Pass.......................................... 112 The lowdown on BSB, WSBK and MotoGP.

COVER STORY

Class(ic) Act ................................. 116

Race Riot .........................................90 What we get up to when we’re not putting together the best mag in the world.

COLUMNISTS

56

Gary Johnson ................................ 128

Christian Iddon ............................. 125

Neave twins .................................. 126

Steve Parrish................................. 130

Gaz has been busy loading up for the NW200.

Tom’s still watching Tim from the sidelines.

Will a broken hand scupper Iddon’s plans?

Parrish’s take on all things bike-racing.

SUB

We crashed Team York Suzuki’s pre-season test on Guy Martin’s classic racer.

RIBE C S See page 70 for details

WELCOME

Lapping it up

N

othing beats the delights of SBOTY, our annual opportunity to mercilessly abuse the latest and greatest sportsbikes on a traffic-free racetrack under a baking hot sun.

An environment where performance comes first and lap times mean everything, it’s the most comprehensive test of its type the world over and we’re understandably bloody proud of it. It’s one hell of a privilege to undertake such a task, and it never gets old. More importantly, the results never fail to surprise us. With the introduction of new metal and the choice of a new venue for 2018, our annual pilgrimage kept us guessing more than the British summer at which bike would rule supreme.

This year was my third consecutive outing to the acclaimed jamboree and by virtue of the fact that I was the only one of our rabble who could run 500m without breaking a sweat or dying, I drew the short straw to clock the necessary 120 timed laps of Navarra race track in search of 2018’s SBOTY winner. That was once I’d banged in an initial 50 circuits of the track to get a grip of it.

If you’ve been there, you’ll know how physical yet brilliant it is. If you haven’t, this track should be on your bucket list. Being much narrower than Carl’s attention span, more staccato in layout than a misfiring Lada and harsher on the body than a night of passion with a 30-stone nympho (I’m not speaking from experience – honest), it also challenged our fleet of nine worthy contenders in a way they’d never known before. Bucking, wheelieing and sliding their merry little socks off, it was remarkable to note how differently each bike reacted to the challenges that came their way, culminating in some pretty unpredictable results.

But before I get all giddy and spurt out which bikes did what, I’ll cull this exuberance right here, right now, instead pointing you in the direction of this issue’s core test. For us, it was a corker, and I just hope you enjoy reading our findings. Of course, SBOTY aside and with the arrival of decent weather, we’ve found ourselves pounding the mean streets and tracks on all kinds and shapes of motorcycles, including the Aprilia Tuono Factory vs the newbie Triumph Speed Triple RS. That scrap wasn’t as black and white as we thought it might have been. And nor was the No Limits endurance race me and TT star Gary Johnson undertook for the Race Riot pages. I’m not blaming him entirely for us finishing as first losers… but it was all his fault.

Anyway, enjoy the mag and keep those throttles pinned.

90

First losers...

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BOSS MAN

‘Dangerous’ Bruce Wilson dangerous@fastbikes.co.uk

WEB MAN

Benjamin ‘BJ’ Kubas Cronin beej@fastbikes.co.uk

AD MAN

Charlie ‘The Sheriff’ Oakman coakman@fastbikes.co.uk

NEW MAN

Carl ‘Pretty Boy’ Stevens teaboy@fastbikes.co.uk

RACE MAN

Mike ‘Boothy’ Booth race@fastbikes.co.uk

SUBSCRIBE!

See page 70 for the best deals, or visit classicmagazines.co.uk/fb

JULY 2018 WWW.FASTBIKESMAG.COM 7

NE W S & RE VIE W S PL ANET FAST BIKES – NE W ME TA L,

TEST RIDE A GSX-R1000R FOR FREE ON THE SUZUKI ALL-STAR SILVERSTONE TRACK DAY! Suzuki are returning to Silverstone once again for their annual track day, where you can ride the GP circuit and even test ride the GSX-R1000R for a session at no extra cost.

If you book on you’ll be riding alongside the likes of Brad Ray, Richard Cooper and Billy McConnell, who will be in attendance with the Buildbase Suzuki British Superbike squad to offer on and off track experience and advice. Motovudu’s on-track instruction and Grand Prix race winner Simon Crafar will also be on track, alongside three-time British Superbike champion John Reynolds and paddock legend Jamie Whitham.

The event will be run out of the Wing paddock and pit lane with three different ability groups on offer, meaning everyone is catered for. Oh, and if you come along you get a free goody bag consisting of a celebratory T-shirt and stickers!

Suzuki’s 2018 All-Star Track Day will take place on the July 17 and will cost £209 per person.

You can book via the Silverstone website at www.silverstone.co.uk.

This could be you...

Got some talent?

Sign up here.

ENTRIES FOR BRITISH TALENT CUP 2019 OPEN NOW! Born between January 1, 2002, and December 31, 2006? No, but have a kid that is and fancy a shot at a racing series with all costs covered including Alpinestars kit and Shark helmets?

Well, read on!

Open for its second year, the British Talent Cup runs across British Superbike, World Superbike and MotoGP weekends throughout the year on identical Honda NSF250R Moto3 bikes, meaning the whippers will get a once in a lifetime shot at showcasing their skills on the world stage.

Road racing experience is a bonus, but any high level of racing experience is taken into account (such as MX) and the contenders will be announced by July 16.

Applications are taken from May 18 till June 17, via www.britishtalentcup.com.

McPhee flew the flag in Moto3.

WHAT’S ON IN JUNE May 26-June 8 – Isle of Man TT June 1 – Jack Hills Cafe Bike Night (Towcester) June 2-3 – Coventry Motofest (Coventry) June 3 – Ace Café Mad Sunday Bike Meet (London) June 1-4 – Ireland Bike Fest (Killarney) June 8-10 – Touching the Cloth Bike Fest (Norfolk) June 9 – Crackin’ It Wide Open Bike Show (Reading) June 9 – Daventry Motorcycle Festival June 10 – Ride4Life Isle of Wight June 10 – Lincoln Bike Fest June 15-17 – Bennetts British Superbike Championship – Snetterton June 16-17 – Prescott Bike Festival June 17 – Father’s Day Motorfest (Essex) June 18-24 Ride to Work Week (everywhere!)

June 23-24 – Cock O’The North Road Races (Oliver’s Mount)

Get to Snet for BSB action!

NEW S & REV IEW S PLA NET FAST BIKES – NEW METAL,

Looks like this chap’s taken a wrong turn.

BREATHTAKING ROADS CAMPAIGN – SCOTLAND

You may remember a couple of issues ago we had a superb feature on the best roads to go ride in the UK this summer? In there we had a section on Scotland and how fabulous it is to thrash around it.

Well, the Scottish government, Police and Road Safety Scotland have gotten together to produce some videos and info for any aspiring biking visitors.

They want us to come up, visit, ride and have a great time. All they’re asking is for us to mind how we go, essentially, and have managed to do it (mostly) in a completely non-patronising way, which when it comes to these kinds of biking safety campaigns, is an achievement all of its own!

“As a biker myself, I love the thrill of riding on Scotland’s breathtaking

roads,” said Transport Minister Humza Yousaf, “but as Transport Minister, I am also acutely aware that motorcyclists make up less than one per cent of Scotland’s traffic, but account for 20 per cent of fatalities.

“No matter what your level of experience is, this campaign will remind us as bikers of the importance of staying safe and

‘PARRISH TIMES’ BOOK – OUT NOW!

“I’m still not sure exactly how I found myself hurtling down a bobsleigh run upside down at over 60 miles an hour, with a drunken aristocrat giggling as he skidded along behind me, but I certainly know how it started…”. These are the opening lines of our own esteemed columnist, and ex GP racer, Steve Parrish’s new book – Parrish Times. Released on May 24, the book chronicles how he got into our beloved sport, from being a cheeky serial truant farm scamp all the way to blagging himself a factory GP ride, multiple British titles and even being done over on Beadle’s About.

The first chapter alone, which starts with the sentence above, is remarkable in many ways. It manages to be funny, informative and also poignant, on several occasions, and this is just the opening shot!

As we type we’ve just received a copy and are only a few chapters in, and even though we’ve known the man for a long time there’s already plenty that’s new to us. In fact, there’s a fair few stories in here, according to Stavros, that have never been told before. As such, usually books start

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with a ‘thanks or dedicated to’ page – Steve’s starts with a ‘sorry to’ page, and there’s a bloody long list of names on it!

And nobody’s safe, not even his family, and co-written with Matt Roberts (with a foreword

by Barry Sheene he’d written in 2003 just in case Steve ever got around to doing a book), there are some early stories about family life that make you really sad, but then by the next sentence you’re belly laughing uncontrollably – it’s a brilliant mix thus far.

And we’ve not even reached the really juicy stuff yet, the antics during his race career, the kind of pranks that even the most naughty modern racer wouldn't ever consider doing in his wildest dreams. They were different times, true, but damn were they often a hell of a lot more interesting.

If you’re not au fait with this period or Stavros, this is a must read, you’ll literally not believe the kind of shit they used to pull, week in and out! We’ll do a full review soon, so keep en eye out on the mag and online for that, but in the meantime if you fancy a read, you can pick up a copy of the book right here https://amzn. to/2rwmQmG

riding appropriately. We hope the biking community from across our country and beyond will enjoy and engage with the helpful tips to ride these roads safely.” Fair enough!

There’s plenty of content, videos and advice on the relevant website should you be planning a visit, and it wouldn’t hurt to have a look before you go, would it? Head online to dontriskit.info for more.

WIN PRIZES AT FAST BIKES’ CADWELL TRACK DAY! Have you booked on our awesome track day at Cadwell Park on June 10 yet? No? Why not?! Hop to it, because while there enjoying Cadwell’s delicious curves, one can also win prizes, including a top drawer Arai TT replica helmet, one signed by several TT racers! And there will be other prizes, too! This day we’re holding is in concert with MSVT, RST and Bridgestone, who will be there with full tyre support for the day. There are three groups of Novice, Intermediate and Advanced all at £149 per space, or MSVT’s Track Academy spots at £448.

For lots more info on the day, and how to get booked on, head to www.fastbikesmag.com!

You’d get a fag paper under that.

ES T PERF ORMA NC E PRODUC TS ALL THE LATEST, CO OL ES T & TRICK

FURYGAN SPECTRUM JACKET Designed for the sportsbike rider who wants slim fitting leather protection, the Spectrum from Furygan packs a big punch for a riding jacket. It’s equipped with Furygan Skin Protect lining to reinforce the leather and improve the tear resistance alongside triple stitching and approved D30 armour in the shoulders and elbows for the ultimate in safety. Furygan have also given it a removable thermal padded vest lining for those cold rides and three pockets to keep your bits safe, while neoprene inserts on the collar and wrists should keep you nice and comfy. Available le in a range of colours and sizes!

£369.99

www.nevis.uk.com

SIDI INSIDER BOOT If you’re after a cassual boot for those summer rides, Sidi have the perfect offering in the form m of their Insider boot.

With a reinforced toe section and malleolus (bone-like) lace closure system safety is covered, while w the insole is moulded and even remo ovable for added comfort.

Available in a range of colours and sizes!

£114.95

www.sidiselect.co.uk

SCORPION Z900 HEADER KIT AND HOMOLOGATED CATALYST H Handmade in the UK by utilising the latest technologies ffrom a mahoosive R&D department, Scorpion have released a load of new Euro 3 and Euro 4 compatible header kits, iincluding this jobby for the Kawasaki Z900. Created with aerospace-grade materials such as stainless steel, carbon a fibre and titanium, the header pipes have been created in fi order to convert the Scorpion Slip on exhaust into a full o system, giving better overall performance. Winning!

£649

WEISE LANCER GLOVES If you’re after a race style glove on a budget, then check out this offering from Weise. Constructed from a mixture of goat and nappa leather means they’re nice and strong, while added peace of min nd comes in the form of integrated TPU rein nforced armour on the knuckles, which works alongside the Knox Scaphoid Protection section in case of an im mpact. The Lancers also come with stretch panels in the fi fingers and adjustable Velcro straps in order to find the perfect fit, while being vented throughout means yyou shouldn’t get too sweaty in the toasty summer months!

£129.99

www.thekeyco ollection.co.uk

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www.scorpion-exhausts.com