FREE! TRACK GUIDE MASTER 7 OF THE UK’S BEST CIRCUITS
WORKSHOP
❯ GUIDE TO CHANGING A CHAIN AND SPROCKETS ❯ HOW HO OW TO SAVE P PRECIOUS RECIO OUS WEIGHT ❯ TOP T TOOLS USED AND RATED
MARCH 2019 ISSUE 350 0
SIZE E MATTERS!! 2019 ZX-6R ON ROAD, TRACK, DYNO ...AND AGAINST A
GSX-R1000R
MIDDLEWEIGHT
NAKEDS KAWASAKI Z650 VS HONDA CB650F VS YAMAHA MT-07 VS SUZUKI SV650X
SUZUKI TL1000S PLUS:
BUILT FROM BITS …THEN BLITZED
❯ YAMAHA R125/R3 LAUNCHES ❯ HAWK SUZUKI SEASON PREVIEW ❯ 2007 YAMAHA R1 BUYER’S GUIDE ❯ SUPERSPORT SAGA: THEN & NOW
ISSUE 350 MARCH 2019
IT’S THE NEWS!
Upfront ........................................... 10 Getting the juiciest goss first!
GEARED UP!
Products .......................................... 15
All the latest, coolest and trickest products.
THE KNOWLEDGE
Used buyer’s guide ......................... 76 We look back at the 2007-2008 Yamaha YZF-R1
WORKSHOP
How to.............................................86 Our guide to changing your bike’s chain and sprockets.
Know your .......................................94
Coolants. And why a good one is important…
What a tool .....................................96 A chain breaker and riveter is the tool of the month.
YOUR LIFE ON BIKES
Addiction.........................................56 They don’t get much sexier than this Panigale.
20 COVER STORY
Middleweight nakeds ................. 38 The best mix of power and price for hooning about.
Yamaha R3 & R125 launch ......... 50
You & Yours .....................................82
We see if these little capacity racers are any good.
Chatter ............................................84
Suzuki TL1000s ........................... 62
All of your adventures.
It’s only fair we give the best readers in the world a page of their own.
OUR LIFE ON BIKES
Track bike builder ...........................68 How to create the ultimate track weapon.
62
TESTS
COVER STORY
Is it as mental as we remember?
38
Staff bikes .......................................98 Enjoying the grim weather… •
Husqvarna FC 350
•
Honda CB1000R
RACE SECTION
Pit Pass.......................................... 100 The lowdown on BSB, WSBK and MotoGP.
Hawk Racing ................................ 104
We go behind the scenes at Hawk to get the lowdown on running a race team.
COLUMNISTS
Neave twins ...................................111
This month we catch up with Tim and he’s been a busy lad.
There’s no rest for the wicked as Gaz enjoys some time off and sorts out his 2019 rides.
Christian Iddon ............................. 113 Work hard, play hard? Iddon’s been living the high life and testing the new S1000RR.
Steve Parrish................................. 114 Gearing up for a fun few months in the sun. 4 MARCH 2019 WWW.FASTBIKESMAG.COM
FEATURES COVER STORY
Size matters ................................ 20 Kawasaki’s new ZX-6R gets its most comprehensive test yet.
Supersport Revival ..................... 32 Back... and better than ever?
SUB
Gary Johnson ................................ 112
B I E R C S 8 age p e l Se etai s d for
WELCOME
Size matters...
T
he bigger the better, right? That’s what my missus always tells me and, as far as bikes are concerned, a lot of people would have you think the same way. Who can blame them? With capacity comes horsepower and with horsepower comes bragging rights… and, let’s face it, we all need a few of those every now and again. More tangibly, bigger bikes often make life easier, from general tootling around to pulling whopping wheelies, so it makes good sense. Then you’ve got the technological side of things, which typically sees the bigger bikes get the best bits before, even if, the scraps are handed over to smaller siblings. Yep, when you stop and think about it there’s no wonder the once bustling 600 class stood no chance at fending off the lures of the litre bike offerings, which have dominated so princely they’ve pretty much killed off the supersport scene. It was a devastating blow when Suzuki, Triumph and Honda pulled their 600s from the market, and Kawasaki’s disappearance of the 636 only pained the sector further. But the good news is the Kwak is back, and it’s better than ever, as Boothy and Carl learned first-hand this month on road and track in a (slightly) sunny Spain. Just for good measure and to make sure no one got lonely, they also took a GSX-R1000R, representing the bigger bore brethren, to help gauge which capacity ticks which boxes. In less exotic climes (Costa Del Mallory Park), but continuing with the GSX-R theme, I’ve been getting more familiar with the model this month, having descended on the Hawk Suzuki BSB boys who’ve helped us kick-off the inaugural part of our 2019 track bike build. Just like me, it’s been subjected to something of a diet, with the main difference being that the bike’s actually lost weight… and a fair chunk at that. If you’re planning to slim down your pride and joy, you might want to gander over the superbike squad’s techniques. While we’re talking of techniques, we’ve also put together the second of our workshop tutorials, with step-by-step guidance on chain and sprocket fitment. But for those that would sooner stab a fork in their big toe than spend time in the workshop, there’s plenty of other great features, like our middleweight naked test. Now that was a blast, screaming the living daylights out of four very different 650cc offerings, and reliving our misspent youths in the process. Rest assured, no animals were harmed in the making of that test, but we can’t say the same about the bikes. Enjoy.
68
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RACE MAN
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TECH MAN
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BRONTE STEAM 9
NE W S & RE VIE W S PL ANET FAST BIKES – NE W ME TA L,
MV AGUSTA RELEASE A2 RESTRICTED MODELS Wait, what? No we aren’t pulling your leg, and you did actually just read that right. The Italian firm say they are ‘giving younger and less-experienced motorcyclists the opportunity to experience an MV Agusta’, by offering the naked Brutale 800 and the supersport style F3 675 in a castrated form so anyone on an A2 licence can ride them. Both bikes will come identical to the full blown models but will be electronically restricted to 47bhp; so you still get all the
gadgets and gizmos like an up and down shifter, slipper clutch and eight stage traction control… just in case you need a hand holding on to all that power. On the brighter side though, if you do cough up the dosh to have one of these at 47bhp, due to the restriction being electronic they can be quite easily de-restricted. The A2 spec Brutale 800 comes in at £11,990, while the A2 spec F3 675 will set you back £12,795; the exact same price as the full powered versions.
WHAT’S ON IN FEBRUARY
PIAGGIO CONFIRMS 2019 APRILIA PRICING
Fancy sticking an Italian stallion in the garage for this year? Well Aprilia have just released their prices for the 2019 model range. The Sports Bike of The Year winning Aprilia RSV4 1100 Factory is first up, and will be on sale in February for the bargain price of £21,499 on the road in a range of colours. If you want something a bit more naked though, the Tuono V4 1100
Factory is available from January and has been updated for 2019 with Öhlins Smart EC 2.0 electronic semi-active suspension, which will set you back £16,999, while if you want something a little bit softer (and cheaper), the Shiver 900 with a new integrated navigational system will also be on sale from £7,999 on the road and available from April.
10 MARCH 2019 WWW.FASTBIKESMAG.COM
February 1-2 – Arenacross round 3 and 4 – Birmingham February 2-3 – Carole Nash Classic Motorcycle Show – Bristol February 10 – Run What Ya Brung – Santa Pod February 9-10 – The Dragon Rally – North Wales February 15-17 – London Motorcycle Show – London February 16 – Stunt Fest – Santa Pod
MARCH 2019 WWW.FASTBIKESMAG.COM 11
NEW S & REV IEW S PLA NET FAST BIKES – NEW METAL,
THE VERY FIRST TRACKDAY OF THE YEAR IS HERE! Yep, I know what you’re thinking – it’s going to be a bit chilly, and it might be a tad wet, but when you get to ride your bike on track, who cares? We sure don’t, and it’s the first sign of impending summer which is always good… So if you fancy it, the No Limits trackday season kicks off on February 16 – a weekend date for all you folks who slog along with the 9-5. It’s at Mallory Park, and with four groups throughout the day, there’s something for everyone. The best part though? It will only set you back £65, which is an absolute bargain... To get booked on, or check out any other of the dates coming up in the UK or in Europe, check out www.nolimitstrackdays.com.
BRANDS HATCH & DONINGTON PARK GET A WINTER MAKEOVER FOR 2019 Who doesn’t love some winter TLC? Well we sure do, especially when said improvement is set to develop two of the best circuits in the UK. Starting with Brands, the biggest change coming up is on the approach to Graham Hill Bend: the downhill left hander, as MSV are expanding the run-off area on the right hand side as you approach the corner. The ground level is being raised in certain areas to ensure that the new run-off lies on a consistent plane as well, so there won’t be any barrier smashing crashes like we’ve seen before… most recently Taz Mackenzie, who ended up missing the final round of BSB last year after suffering a concussion after crashing there. It’s not just the entry that’s being reworked though, as the run off surface at the exit is being improved as well, which is bloody good news if you’ve ever high-sided out of there – it hurts. The same bits are being carried out up at Druids, and MSV are also doing some resurfacing at Clearways. Oh, and new kerbs are being laid at Paddock Hill Bend, so hopefully they won’t be so brutal… Circuit manager Mike Groves said: “We’re
undertaking a number of improvements to the circuit over the off-season, including a major reworking of the run-off zone on the approach to Graham Hill Bend. This major project, along with a handful of other on-track tweaks, will put us great shape ahead of what I’m sure will be another terrific season of motor racing.” Oh, and if that wasn’t enough, Donington Park is getting a little bit of work as well. The entry gate is having a massive revamp and is being moved for easier venue admission and reduced queuing, which is always a bonus…
12 MARCH 2019 WWW.FASTBIKESMAG.COM
Yay for run off!
MARCH 2019 WWW.FASTBIKESMAG.COM 13
14 MARCH 2019 WWW.FASTBIKESMAG.COM
ED AND RE VIE W ED THE VERY BEST KI T – US ED, ABUS 4SR RACING REPLICA – ONE PIECE SUIT TESTED BY: Pretty Boy MILES: 6000 TIME: 15 months PRICE: Approx. £760 WEB: www.4SR.com
When a company’s motto is ‘Life’s too short to wear shit leathers’, there’s a not-so subtle hint that the products have to be pretty decent… and thankfully For Street Racing deliver. I’ve had this suit for more than a year now and even though it hasn’t been down the road it’s taken an absolute battering of being thrown around here, there and everywhere; yet it hasn’t faltered once, the quality is near enough bulletproof and there’s no real sign of wear and tear. This suit is made to measure and the fit was absolutely spot on from the very first outing, and it comes absolutely packed with some of the best armour I’ve felt – the only thing I did was take the chest protector out of mine in order to run a different back protector as it was a bit chunky, but even that is held in nicely with Velcro. Constructed from cowhide, they’re a little heavier than some of the rival suits on the market but the finish and quality of the whole lot makes up for that, and at the end
of the day for the amount of cash that they’ll set you back, they’re a cracking suit. Funnily enough, I’ve worn this set for days on end with no awkwardness, uncomfiness or any type of rubbing which is hard to find, so for a suit at a reasonably budget price (for top end leather) I wouldn’t think twice about sticking these on, whether on the road or lining up to race. Oh, and the designs look pretty smart as well, with some snazzy camo, fluro colours and of course some elbow sliders, which are all the rage nowadays.
VEMAR HELMET TESTED BY: Martin MILES: 250 TIME: 3 Months PRICE: £ 249.99 WEB: www.tri-motive.com
If you haven’t heard of Vemar before you’re probably not alone; but you should really pay attention because you’ll miss all sorts of great bits at spectacular prices. Vemar are a Swiss-owned Italian brand being distributed here in the UK by Tri-Motive, and after trying out the Hurricane model, I haven’t been disappointed. Trying a new brand of helmet is always a hit and miss scenario for me, even with the bigger names I’ve struggled in the past with fit, but I’m pleased to say this helmet is a big hit for me. I have used it on track and road without any issues, it’s comfortable and lightweight, and being made from a mixture of fibreglass, carbon and Kevlar fibres should be easily strong enough in
a tumble – which means ultimately that I feel safe in it. This really does feel like a premium lid with the extra touches included like Max visor pinlock, removable plush liners and a magnetic chin strap fastening, but if you’re still not sure ask Superstock 600 stock rider Milo Ward what he thinks of Vemar after his 100mph+ off at Oulton Park earlier this year. He was lucky to only suffer concussion and a fractured nose when a ZX-6R decided to land on top of his head!
MARCH 2019 WWW.FASTBIKESMAG.COM 15
AND REV IEW ED THE VERY BES T KIT – USED, ABUSED
MUPO K911 FORK CARTRIDGE & AB1 EVO SHOCK TESTED BY: Farmer Brod MILES: 1500 TIME: Six months PRICE: £1925 WEB: www.muporacesuspension.co.uk
I’ve always been a fan of power but when you know how pointless it can be without control, it makes you think twice about where you should be investing your money. I had absolutely zero plans to replace the stock Öhlins items that came fitted to my Daytona 675R, but then a wall jumped out of nowhere and bent my forks like a banana. As for the rearshock, not even a plastic surgeon could have made that thing look pretty again. That one crash, smack into the tyre wall at the end of Cadwell Park’s straight, even snapped the bike’s frame in half and left me desperate to get my hands on new pogos. The
smarter move was to buy cheaper standard Daytona forks and kit them out in Mupo. I’d known a few of my mates give the Italian brand’s wisdom a go, and no one seemed disappointed. In for a penny, I joined the pack and have never looked back. The feel they offered, even while working to the suggested base settings, was so much plusher than what I’d known before. The bike also felt sharper and gave me loads more confidence on the brakes at big lean angles. I had my first outing on the kit at Croft and that same day won my first race on them and set the fastest lap of No Limits Pirelli 600 class
on them while I was at it. I was loving the set-up, which is why more race wins and fast laps followed until the close of the season. The front end of my Triumph is something else, helped by the adjustability of the 30mm K911 cartridge forks that feature a smart spring adjustment system. I’ve run mostly with my forks set at 9.5weight, but when necessary, I’ve taken advantage of the five weight options the cartridge design offers to alter its characteristics to suit the support I’ve needed. It’s a nice touch that works well and means I’ve never been left longing for a better set-up,
especially complemented by the huge range of adjustability to damping and preload that’s also on tap. The same level of adoration goes to the AB1 Evo shock, which has blown my mind with its level of feel and tractability. That took a bit more fettling than the front end to get working how I wanted it to, but once it was in its sweet spot it was impossible to criticise. The pairing work awesomely and while I’m not glad I threw my bike at a wall, I’m buzzing to have found Mupo in my life.
HM QUICKSHIFTER PLUS TESTED BY: Pretty Boy MILES: 1300 TIME: 11 months PRICE: £340.42 WEB: www.hmquickshifter.com
A lot of people seem to hate electronics and gizmos, but in my opinion a ‘shifter is one of the best inventions since sliced bread – and the Plus model from HM has been just the ticket for me. I stuck this one on my GSX-R race bike and it was incredibly easy to install; just undo the old, and straight in with the new with a quick plug in and bolt on. I haven’t messed around much with the adjustable ignition kill times or bits like that as I didn’t feel I needed too, but I did notice that from the get go the HM shifter is much more sensitive; absolutely perfect for me, as having little legs I struggle to always get a good connection between gear shifts. I was ‘umming and ‘ahhhing
whether I really needed one or if it made much of a difference, but after riding a GSX-R with a standard shifter again, I definitely made the right choice. It also offers peace of mind as this shifter uses the ignition side of the motorcycle to unload the gearbox which looks after your internals where some competitors don’t – so look out for that. In my opinion, it might be slightly too sensitive for me on the road in its
16 MARCH 2019 WWW.FASTBIKESMAG.COM
current state, but on the track it’s absolutely perfect, and the best part is they’re actually interchangeable between models; so all you need is the correct loom and shift rod if you want to get a new weapon. All in all, if it’s good
enough for the boys (and girls) in world championship, it’s going to be good enough for me. Oh, and if you’re unsure if it’s for you, they even come with a one year warranty and HM technical support for a nice added touch….
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