2018 STARTS HERE!
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SHOOT-OUT TRIUMPH STREET TRIPLE RS DUCATI MONSTER 821 SUZUKI GSX-S750 KAWASAKI Z900 YAMAHA MT-07 KTM 690 DUKE WK 650NK
PLUS: KTM 950SM KNOW YOUR AIR FILTERS TURBOS VERSUS SUPERCHARGERS TT TREAT: WK’S LIGHTWEIGHT 650 BATTLEFIELD BLITZING
BLOW & GO
492BHP TURBO GIXER VS KAWASAKI H2
DECEMBER 2017 ISSUE 334
ISSUE 334 DECEMBER 20 017
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Subscribe .........................................8 You get the mag first, at a bargain price, straight through your letterbox. You know it makes sense!
GEARED UP!
Products.......................................... 18 It’s a special Christmas edition!
IT’S THE NEWS!
Upfront............................................ 10 All the best models of 2018 unveiled here!
THE KNOWLEDGE
Used Buyer’s Guide......................... 78 KTM’s 950SM is flavour of the month.
MASTERCLASS
Riding ..............................................84 The importance of traction!
Legal ................................................87 Don’t cheap out on a lawyer!
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IBE
Know Your Tech ..............................94 All you need to know on air filters!
YOUR LIFE ON BIKES
Chatter ............................................88
LAUNCHES
Bridgestone R11 .............................48
The world’s best readers write!
Just how good is Bridgestone’s new track tyre?
OUR LIFE ON BIKES
TESTS
Charlie gets set for Snett!
Thrashing the very best middleweight naked weapons on the market!
Project TZR ......................................90 Project Moto3 .................................92 Bruce’s bike is progressing... shockingly!
Staff Bikes.......................................96 Emotional goodbyes and a lot of love! •
Honda Fireblade SP • KTM 390 Duke • Suzuki GSX-S750 • Suzuki GSX-R1000R And more!
•
BMW S1000R • Triumph Street Triple RS • KTM 1290 Superduke R • Aprilia RSV4 RF
RACE SECTION
Pit pass.......................................... 106 All the best goss from the paddock!
COLUMNISTS
Carl Stevens.................................. 118 It’s been an emotional year…
Taylor Mackenzie.......................... 119 T-Mac takes a battering (again).
Gary Johnson ................................ 120 Gaz has been packing his bags.
Chaz Davies .................................. 121 Word from the world stage.
Steve Parrish................................. 122 This old dog finds some new tricks.
BUY
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Naked attraction.............................24
Big bad blowers ..............................52 We strap ourselves in for a full-blown assault on the senses.
Chinese Cracker .............................42 We test WK’s TT machine!
FEATURES
Turbo vs Super!...............................66 Stuck between a turbocharger and a supercharger? Look no further!
60
HONDA SP2 PORN FOR YOUR VIEWING PLEASURE!
52
SUPERCHARGED SEXINESS...
Europe Tour.....................................70 Exploring Normandy’s battlefields by bike.
WELCOME
Float your boat?
I
’m talking about Ducati’s new V4, of course. That’s the big news from EICMA, despite the fact we’ve all known about it unofficially for what seems an eternity. The proof will very much be in the tasting, but I reckon it’ll make for a worthy challenger in next year’s SBOTY shootout. It’s got the peak power, it’s certainly got the torque, and we’re hoping that Ducati’s best bods have crafted a frame that’s more than just eye-candy. I’ll be honest, I’m writing this ten days before the EICMA show, but we’ve done our best to gather as much embargoed info on as many 2018 releases as possible, which you’ll find detailed in the Upfront section. There’s some cool stuff in the pipeline, and some random stuff as well. I’m sure Yamaha’s new MT-09 powered Niken is set to divide opinion the world over, just as it readily has in the Fast Bikes office. Innovation or desperation? You decide. At least it’ll be difficult to crash, which is no bad thing for me. I had my first spill in three years the other day, which really caught me out. Thankfully, I managed to navigate around Donington’s ramped kerbs in the process – things could’ve turned out far worse than they did. As it happened, I was back out in the next race and looking set for a second place finish until my brother Brod sneakily passed me and bumped me back to third. It’s an awesome thing racing against my brother, and we’re far from the only siblings who try to outdo each other on the race track, as the Sibling Racers feature at the back of the mag will attest. Funnily enough, Tom and Tim Neave were also competing against us in that same race, plus two other brothers. It doesn’t get much more incestuous than that. In other news, Fagan’s been checking out blowers this month. Take your mind out the gutter… I mean Kawasaki’s wacky H2 of course, which got pitched against a bowel-loosening 500bhp turbo’d Gixer. That’s some serious ponies, but he came back preaching the righteousness of such lunacy as you can read all about. And continuing on that theme, this issue’s naked middleweight group test generated a fair of chunk of lunacy, mostly at the hands of TT racer Boothy who seemed hell bent on jumping every bike he came into contact with. I can’t remember the last time I had so much fun, but I’m not sure the seven fantastic weapons we abused would say the same… it’s a bloody good job they can’t talk. On a final note, we’ve got a stand at the Motorcycle Live Show in November. Swing by.
24
Riding the wheels off ’em...
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BOSS MAN
‘Dangerous’ Bruce Wilson dangerous@fastbikes.co.uk
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AD MAN
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NEW MAN
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RACE MAN
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THE ONE YOU’VE ALL BEEN WAITING FOR:
DUCATI PANIGALE V4 After what’s felt like an eternity, Ducati’s finally removed the covers from its highly anticipated Panigale V4(s). As the saying goes, ‘good things come to those who wait’, and this all-new beauty from Bologna doesn’t fall short on that proverb. A few issues ago the Italian brand teased us with info of the eye-watering ‘Stradale’ V4 motor (FB332) that’s set to produce a claimed 210bhp, but now we know a lot more about the MotoGP inspired motorcycle, which is said to be more powerful, more usable and more ridable than the L-twin 1299 it’s replacing. There’s no word yet on pricing, but the Italians have confirmed there will be three variants of the V4 released; the standard V4 version; the V4 ‘S’, which comes equipped with high-spec Öhlins electronic
suspension, aluminium forged wheels, a lithium-ion battery and a cast magnesium alloy front sub frame; and the V4 Speciale which comes with all of the aforementioned plus its own colour scheme, complete with an identification number on the top yoke, carbon fibre mudguards, adjustable footpegs and a performance kit
THERE’S NO WORD ON PRICING, BUT THERE WILL BE THREE VARIANTS. 10 DECEMBER 2017 WWW.FASTBIKESMAG.COM
which includes a racing screen, a bike cover and a full racing Akrapovic exhaust system which should see power figures crest 220bhp, meaning the bike’s stock 1bhp-to-1kg power-to-weight ratio will be enhanced even further. With so much spec to get your head around, we figured the simplest way to deliver the V4’s abundance of features was to break it down into more manageable segments. Here’s what’s on offer: Get selling your kidneys, folk.
UPFRONT
FRAME
TECHNOLOGY
SUSPENSION
WHEELS
ENGINE
BRAKES
To combat the V4’s weight, Ducati’s crafted a whole new aluminium frame (weighing just 4kg) which sees the ‘Stradale’ motor used as a stressed member (akin to the monocoque designs we’ve seen before). It’s been dubbed the Front Frame, and it’s supported by a magnesium front subframe and a shell-cast aluminium rear subframe.
The standard Panigale V4 is fitted with three-spoke cast aluminium rims, while the fancier ‘S’ and ‘Stradale’ versions are kitted with three-spoke forged aluminium options. All of the models are equipped with Pirelli’s latest generation Supercorsa SPs.
The Ducati V4 Panigale comes with its fair share of technology, thanks to an updated six-axis Bosch inertial platform which powers the brand’s latest generation electronics package. This includes all-new features such as controlled drift during braking, ABS cornering for just the front wheel (which is track focused) and a new up and down Quickshift system that takes lean angle into account. Combine all those features together and you’re presented with one of the most technologically advanced machines on the market. These features run alongside the stock Ducati Traction Control, Ducati Slide Control, Ducati Wheelie Control, Ducati Power Launch and the Ducati Engine Brake Control, which have all been updated for the new model. The models each feature three new riding modes, which are adjustable via the stock fitment 5in TFT display.
A box-fresh design has meant Ducati’s been able to produce something very special with its MotoGP inspired Desmodromic V4. The 1,103cc motor is the only production based engine of its kind to feature a 90º angle between cylinder banks, replicating the manufacturer’s impressive GP bike layout. It also borrows the racing machine’s broad 81mm bore to boost mid-range performance. Ducati has opted for a long stroke with its road going versions, culminating in a wrist wrenching 123.5Nm on tap and a dizzy 210bhp of top end joy. The V4 features a counter rotating crankshaft and a twin pulse ignition, plus variable intakes and the latest generation Desmodromic cam timing.
ENGINE
TECH DATA Ducati Panigale V4
Ducati Panigale V4 ‘S’
The standard V4 is equipped with fully adjustable 43mm Showa Big Piston Forks and a fully adjustable Sachs shock and steering damper, the V4 ‘S’ and V4 ‘Speciale’ get the full Öhlins electronic adjustment treatment, using the brand's second generation Smart EC 2.0 and corresponding NIX-30 forks and a TTX36 rear shock.
The Panigale V4 range has been fitted with brand new Brembo Stylema Monobloc calipers, which are visually more compact and incredibly lightweight thanks to being machined from a single piece of alloy, meaning they save 70g per caliper.
Ducati Panigale V4 ‘Speciale’
Type Bore x Stroke Compression Fuelling Claimed Power
ELECTRONICS
Claimed Torque RBW/Riding Modes Traction Control ABS Quickshifter Wheelie Control
CHASSIS
Launch Control Frame Front Suspension Rear Suspension Front Brakes
DIMENSIONS
Wheelbase
PRICE
Rear Brakes
Price
Seat Height Dry Weight Fuel Capacity
From
DECEMBER 2017 WWW.FASTBIKESMAG.COM 11
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IN THE
BLUE
CO CORNER Yamaha’s got numerous new delights for the tasting g in 2018. These are the highlights… g
MT-09 GOES SP
Owing to the unholy level of success Yamaha’s achieved with its triple-powered wonder wheeler, the MT-09 has been given the ‘SP’ treatment for 2018. While the principal motorcycle and its major components (such as engine and frame) will go unchanged, the ‘09 will benefit from a plethora of goodies including a custom configured Öhlins rear shock that’s fully adjustable and features a remote adjuster to make tweaking a doddle. The front end is also bettered with the fitment of newly designed front forks which allow for the adjustment of compression and rebound damping. In keeping with SP tradition, the model has Yamaha’s exclusive Silver Blu Carbon paint scheme (as per the MT-10SP), which sees the fancy silver and blue design stretch the length and breadth of the motorcycle. Other details include the introduction of blue stitching on the rider’s seat, and the handlebars, levers and ‘bar crown have been coloured black in a bid to bolster the bike’s classy appearance. Another nice touch is the MT-09’s LCD dash displaying white info on a black background, in a bid to make it easier to read regardless of lighting conditions. The new model’s pricing is still to be announced, but the bike will be in showrooms as of January 2018.
MT-07 UPS ITS GAME
With over 80,000 sales in the bag, Yamaha’s love for the middleweight MT is easy to understand. For 2018, it’s getting a thorough makeover to help bolster future sales, with an all-encompassing facelift forming the most major of mods. Bolder headlights, a new fuel tank design and MT-09-style air intakes give the ‘07 a sharper look, while a new, larger seat unit is set to improve the model’s comfort levels. Handling characteristics have also been pimped as the front forks now feature revised settings for a sportier ride, aided by the rear shock’s gaining a rebound adjuster so riders can alter the setup to better suit their demands. The 74bhp CP2 goes unchanged, as does the frame and general persona of this head-banging beauty.
12 DECEMBER 2017 WWW.FASTBIKESMAG.COM
The MT-09’s just got a whole lot better.