Fast Bikes June 2023 issue- 20 PAGE PREVIEW!

AT YOUR SERVICE

GSX-8S

WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT REAR SUSPENSION

RETURN OF SUZUKI’S ENTRYLEVEL HUSTLER

JU N ISS E 20 UE 23 40 4

OUR PROJECT ZX-7R GETS SOME WORKSHOP TLC

SHOCKING BEHAVIOUR

FIT G THE REWRITIN ITH RULES W W NE DUCATI’S TER H STREETFIG V4S

MOTOGP AT THE TT RUTTER’S RETURN TO THE ISLAND ON HONDA’S ICONIC RCV

ISSUE 404 JUNE 2023

THE KNOWLEDGE

Used Bike Guide.............................. 54 All you need to know about Suzuki’s iconic GSX-R1000 K1.

YOUR LIFE ON BIKES

You and Yours ................................. 88 All of your adventures.

Chatter ............................................ 75 A page dedicated to the best readers in the world…

TESTS

Fighting fit....................................... 20 We let rip on Ducati’s feistiest Streetfighter yet.

Back to basics ................................. 30 Suzuki’s back in the entry-level naked sector with its GSX-8S.

COLUMNISTS

Brad Howell .................................... 92 If you want to get the best from yourself and your bike, read Brad’s wise words.

Tim Neave ....................................... 94 Now that the first round’s done and dusted, we hear what Tom’s got to say about it and the year ahead.

Christian Iddon ............................... 96 Iddon’s not had much luck of late, but he’s hoping to change that.

Steve Parrish................................... 98 More tales, more mischief.

FEATURES

MotoGP at the TT ............................ 40

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Michael Rutter’s returning to the TT on his RCV this year. Here’s the backstory…

R7 Project ........................................ 60 Time’s running out for this road racing lightweight’s transformation.

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Shed-find to superbike ................... 66 The Ninja’s had been up on the operating table for some much-needed TLC.

What the Tech: Rear suspension .... 78 There’s a lot to know about rear shocks, as Johnny explains.

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WELCOME

Spring has sprung

A

nd just like that, there are motorcycles everywhere. This is the best time of the year, seeing and hearing an unholy amount of bikes breaking free from hibernation and capitalising on the dry, warm weather we’ve had in recent weeks. It’s the perfect tonic for those winter blues that now seem a distant memory – thankfully. I’ll be honest, as much as I do ride all year round, I don’t enjoy wet, cold and sketchy roads. I know some people wear the winter warrior badge with pride and for others it’s a necessity, maybe having to commute on a bike whatever the weather, and I take my hat off to you all, but I’d sooner clock twice as many miles in the warmer months than an even spread all year long. Everything is better when you’ve got the weather on your side, as a few recent blasts – for the simple sake of a blast – have hammered home. There’s a massive two-wheeled following where I live, which means it’s impossible not to meet other bikers when you’re out and about. Already, thanks to the lighter evenings, the social side to

two-wheels feels in full flow with bike nights and meets brimming with eager participants. I could hark on all day, but you get the gist… it’s good to be back at it.

It’s also the transitional point for us on the mag where we wave off the last of the year’s new model launches and begin to create more organic tests of our own.

We’ve got some really interesting tests heading your way, but we’re always keen for more ideas, so get in touch if there’s something you’d like to see. I guess the other thing that’s now in full flow is the racing season, with Timmy flat-out on the MCAMS Yamaha superbike at BSB, while Johnny’s been burning the candle, getting Rutter ready for the start line of the North West 200 and TT that follows soon after.

I’ve actually just returned from Honda Racing this morning, having picked up some shells for Rutter’s RCV, which he and Johnny will be building up this week.

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It’s exciting to think that special bike will be powering its way down Bray Hill in the not-too-distant future. There’s a feature on it in this issue, so make sure to give it a read. And if you’re at the major road races this year, make sure to swing by the Bathams set-up and ask for a free beer – on Johnny’s tab. I know that’s what I’ll be doing. But for now, I’ve got some big miles to clock. It’s good to be back.

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PLA NE T FAST BIKES – NE W ME TAL WORDS: SIR ALAN OF DOWDS

, NE WS & REV IEW S

WORDS: SIR ALAN OF DOWDS

2023 KTM 890 SMT RELEASED The first road bike that really made us sit up and take notice of KTM was the original 2005 950 SM supermoto. The wacky Austrian dirtbike maker was a niche operator on the tarmac up until then, but this pile of orange nonsense was a cracker. It had a lovely carburetted 942cc 75° V-twin engine – the first KTM engine that wasn’t a thumping single – borrowed from the KTM 950 Adventure released a couple of years earlier, steel trellis frame, long-travel suspension, and sporty wheels, tyres and brakes. A few years later they bumped up the engine to a 999cc and called it the 990 SM, before adding pannier fittings to make the hilarious 990 SMT. Bonkers, barmy, brilliant for bringing beer home from the shops... it could do it all.

And now KTM has resurrected this legendary moniker with a new SMT for the 2020s. The 2023 890 SMT uses the 889cc

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105bhp parallel-twin motor from the 890 Adventure, adding a tweaked supermoto-style chassis to match, together with lower seat, sportier brakes and sticky 17-inch Michelin PowerGP tyres. Just like its ancestor, then.

There are detail mods everywhere on the new SMT compared with the 890 Adventure.

The aluminium swingarm is longer and the

shock mount has been repositioned to suit that lower seat. The steel tube trellis frame has tighter geometry. And the WP suspension is premium APEX track-ready kit, with 43mm open cartridge USD forks and rear monoshock, both with 180mm of travel.

KTM’s also subtly crafted the new bodywork, with the seat cutting into the fuel tank area to let the rider sit more forward and into the bike. This was one of the characteristics of the 950 and 990 SM models, and it made for a ride that was both relaxing and exhilarating when you needed it.

Keep an eye on our online channels – Facebook, Twitter, and the Fast Bikes website (www. fastbikesmag.com) – for news as it happens.

The engine is unchanged from the 890 Adventure install, which sounds top to us; 105bhp sounds a bit mean in these days of 215bhp superbikes, but the 2005 bike only had 98bhp, so we’re up already. Add in peak torque of 74 ft-lb and a more modern fuelling set-up and it should be a cracker on the road.

There are no standard pannier fittings like on the original SMT, though luggage will be available as an option. What the new bike

does have that the old machine could only dream of is the latest in electronic rider aids.

There’s three standard rider modes – rain, street and sport – which fine-tune throttle and slide settings, plus standard cornering ABS and 10-way adjustable cornering traction control. There are software add-ons to provide engine brake control, quickshifter and cruise control – though you’ll have to pay extra for those goodies, like the bags.

The five-inch TFT colour LCD dash connects to your phone for navigation and other functions, and there’s full LED lighting too.

No word on price for the new 890 SMT as yet, but it will be in shops by the end of May this year.

JUNE 2023 WWW.FASTBIKESMAG.COM 11

PLANE T FAST BIKES – NEW METAL

ISLAND LIFE

Heading to the TT this year?

Not heading to the TT this year?

Don’t know what a TT is?

Doesn’t matter: you should still buy this superb piece of magazine craft – Island Racer 2023. Put together by the very best writers here at Mortons Media, with photos from the legendary snappers who learned their trade on manual box Brownies, laid out by our Picasso-spec graphic designers and, finally, printed on organic, gluten-free paper made from free-range single-origin trees*, it’s BY FAR the finest magazine

, NEWS & REVIEW S

you’ll get previewing the Irish Sea magic for 2023.

There’s 148 pages of goodness (which might actually be too much for some) and is packed with gems from the likes of Peter Hickman, Michael Rutter and John McGuinness, as well as some deep dives into TT history... Steve Hislop’s rides, Mike Hailwood’s Suzuki RG500, and the history of BMW at the TT in the German firm’s centenary year.

On sale now, at a completely bargain £8.99 cover price, it’s one to keep on the archive shelf

for sure. More details at www.classicmagazines.co.uk *probably

BIKE TRAINERS SKILL UP ON MENTAL HEALTH Top UK bike training firm Phoenix Motorcycle Training is expanding its skill set, providing mental health first-aiders at each of its sites.

As with conventional first-aiders, these people are trained to give initial support in a crisis while professional healthcare staff arrive.

Mark Jaffe, the CEO of Phoenix Motorcycle Training,

12 JUNE 2023

said: “As the UK’s largest motorcycle training school, we can see the massive benefit to new and current riders of having access to mental health first-aiders in all of our locations.

“As instructors and bikers, we know that riding motorcycles helps promote good

mental health, and through this additional training enabling us to do even more, we can make a difference to riders old and new.”

PLANE T FAST BIKES – NEW METAL

AVON TYRES RELAUNCHED BY GOODYEAR/DUNLOP

, NEWS & REVIEW S

TRIUMPH CELEBRATES 10 YEARS OF THE DGR WITH SPECIAL BONNIE Yeah, yeah, the Distinguished Gentleman’s Ride doesn’t really fit into the classic ‘Fast Bikes ethos’... and we look askance at brown seats as much as the next trackday fan.

But the aim of the DGR is laudable – raising funds for men’s health charities worldwide. Triumph has been a big part of that since 2014, and is marking its 10th DGR

event with this special limited edition Bonneville T120. Fancy paint, only 250 being made, and one will go to the best charity fundraiser this year.

Not bad.gentlemansride.com

NORTON ANNOUNCES DEALER NETWORK AND BIKE SHED TIE-UP Imagine how long the to-do list was at Norton when new owner TVS bought it off Stuart Garner, the ‘colourful’ previous incumbent. On that list was ‘set up a new dealer network’ – and the Indian parent firm has made its way down there. Of course, the chi-chi nature of Norton

means it doesn’t need 500 dealers around the entire UK like a Japanese manufacturer in the 1980s. Rather, the Solihull-based luxury bike maker has signed up a select band of top-end retail partners, including P&H in Crawley, Krazy Horse in London, Via Moto of Sheffield, Thor Motorcycles in Bodmin and Oakmere Motor Group at Northwich. They’ll provide the firm with a network of suppliers where customers can book demo rides, see display machines and, eventually, source parts and servicing for their new Nortons.

The company has also taken over an ‘atelier’ space at the Bike Shed Motorcycle Club in

14 JUNE 2023 WWW.FASTBIKESMAG.COM

Shoreditch, East London, where it will display the Commando 961 and V4 SV bikes, take orders and arrange demos too. Nice.

The Avon tyre factory at Melksham might be closing down, but the British brand’s new owner, Goodyear, has outlined how the brand will fit into its portfolio alongside Dunlop tyres. Avon rubber will be made in France from next year, at the same Montlucon factory where Dunlop makes its premium road and race bike tyres.

The Avon range is being rationalised to focus on what it does best: sport-touring rubber, cruiser fitments and classic sporting tyres.

The plan seems to be for the famed British brand to fit below Dunlop in terms of price, while still providing a premium product, and with even better distribution and availability.

THE NEW AVON BIKE TYRE FITMENT RANGE Hypersport: 3D Supersport Sport touring radial: Spirit ST Sport touring bias belt; Roadrider MKII/Streetrunner Custom: Cobra Chrome Trail/adventure: Trailrider/ Trekrider Classic: Safety Mileage MKII/Speedmaster MKII Scooter: Viper Stryke

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1) Ducati Corse V6 Helmet Price: £849 2) Imola Sunglasses Price: £129 3) DC Sport T-Shirt Price: £49.90 4) Ducati Corse C6 Racing Suit Price: £1390 5) Redline T3 Trolley Bag Price: £299 6) Ducati Corse V5 Air Racing Boots Price: £329

ADVERTORIAL

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7) Ducati Corse Power K2 Racing Suit Price: £2089 8) Redline P3 Helmet Bag Price: £50.12 9) DC Stretch Snal Cap Price: £34.52 10) DC Sport Polo Price: £49.90 11) Ducati Corse C5 Gloves Price: £379 12) DC Sport Gym Bag Price: £69

The Ducati collection is available now in your local Ducati Dealership.

For details on your local dealer visit: www.ducatiuk.com JUNE 2023 WWW.FASTBIKESMAG.COM 17

ALL THE LATEST, CO OL ES T & TRICK

ES T PERF ORMA NC E PRODUC TS

SHARK SKWAL I3 HELMET The half-wits in cars we share the roads with need all the help they can get these days, so this smart new Shark lid with a built-in brake light system makes much sense. It’s got clever electronics inside that can work out when you’re braking, without any wires or radio connections to your bike, and then flash a red LED light on the back of the helmet. It’s a smart light, too – it flashes faster when you brake hard,

giving even more warning to the nice lady on her phone in the Porsche Cayenne behind. There are front-facing white position lights as well, while it charges via USB-C, and the battery lasts for about 12 hours. Light show aside, the Skwal i3 has a polycarbonate outer shell, ECE 22.06 approval, tool-free visor removal and internal sun visor, and is prepared for an intercom install.

RRP: from £239

DUNLOP SPORTMAX Q-LITE TYRES The main strength of small sportsbikes is their light weight and potential high corner speed, meaning it makes zero sense to skimp on rubber for ‘em. So it’s great to see these new Dunlop Sportmax Q-Lite tyres, designed for the likes of the Yamaha YZF-R3, KTM Duke 390 and Kawasaki Ninja 250. Available in a wide range of small bike sizes, they are claimed to offer hypersports performance, while still giving great mileage and improved handling. And despite the sporty tread pattern, the firm reckons they have great wet performance, too.

RRP: from £150/pair

www.dunlop.eu

www.nevis.uk.com

OXFORD HOT GRIPS PRO Okay, summer’s on the way, but heated grips are useful all year round – it can still get chilly in the morning and nothing beats warm pinkies, even if you’re wearing summer gloves. These are Oxford’s latest design, the Hot Grips Pro, and they’ve got the latest generation of tech. There’s no separate control button; rather, you have a control on the grip itself, with an LED

indicator of heat level on the left grip. They store the previous setting in memory, and also have an auto cut-off function so will never flatten your battery. Available in three grip pattern designs for adventure, touring or sports bikes.

RRP: £199

www.oxfordproducts.com

ALPINESTARS GP FORCE AIRFLOW JACKET New riding season, new leather jacket?

This classy coat from A-stars looks like just the job for those hot sunny days that are just around the corner (probably). The GP Force Airflow is fully vented, with plenty of perforations in the buffalo leather chest and back panels, plus comfy stretch panels around the arms and sides. It’s prepared for the firm’s Tech-Air 5 airbag system, and also comes with Nucleon body armour

RRP: £449.99 18 JUNE 2023 WWW.FASTBIKESMAG.COM

www.alpinestars.com

in elbows and shoulders, plus back protector pocket. It’s got a waterproof pocket for your phone, a removable wind-proof liner for cooler rides, and will attach to suitable trousers. Available in three subtle colourways in sizes 2XS-3XL.

PRODUCTS

WEISE DRIFT JACKET

This Weise Drift is a subtle, unbranded textile riding jacket with removable hood that looks spot-on for town riding and commuting. It’s got a laminated waterproof breathable membrane on the outer shell to keep you dry and CE armour in elbows and shoulders, plus a back protector as standard – nice.

A removable thermal liner adds warmth when the weather turns and it’s packed with useful pockets.

It’s the style that’s the clincher, though – it’s a smart-looking jacket for both on and off the bike.

RRP: £199.99

www.thekeycollection.co.uk

OXFORD SPARTAN AIR BOOTS No-nonsense short summer riding boots from Oxford Products, the Spartan Air is, as the name suggests, a vented breathable design. There’s full CE protection to ankle, toe and heel, with a reinforced sole shank and a tough microfibre/Cordura upper. A tough rubber sole gives good grip on and off the bike, and for the price, they make perfect sense for summer commuting and light touring.

RST TRACKTECH EVO 4 CE GLOVES Now these look properly sweet... a full-fat track glove, with a sweet khaki camouflage design and loads of high-tech protection. The glove itself is made from cowhide and kangaroo leather, with a protective Kevlar lining throughout, and double-layer kangaroo on the palm slider area. The knuckles feature full CE level two carbon fibre protection, and there are memory foam panels too. It’s fully vented to

RRP: £99.99

RRP: £89.99 www.oxfordproducts.com

VANUCCI VUT RIDING JEANS Vanucci is the in-house brand of German bike kit supplier Louis Moto, and these riding jeans have extensive protection, sized for men and women.

They’re made from ‘Armalith’ stretch-fit material with a tough abrasionresistant polyamide/cotton/elastane mix, and have adjustable CE armour in the knees. There’s also pockets for optional hip armour, and all the seams have ISO 4916-type safety construction.

Elasticated waistbands are custommade for the modern Brit biker, of course, and will improve comfort on longer rides, especially after the lunch stop…

RRP: £159 www.louis-moto.co.uk

GB RACING GEN 3 HAYABUSA ENGINE PROTECTORS

keep your digits cool, and the little finger is attached to the ring finger to keep your pinkies safer in a spill. Very decent price, considering the spec.

FIM-approved engine protectors for the latest generation Suzuki GSX1300R Hayabusa, these GB Racing parts will help keep your motor in one piece during a spill. Made from tough injection moulded glass-reinforced nylon and with a simple bolt-on fitment, they’re essential stuff, we reckon.

www.rst-moto.com

RRP: £216 (alternator), £264 (clutch) www.gbracing.eu JUNE 2023 WWW.FASTBIKESMAG.COM 19

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