Fast Bikes Preview of July issue

STYLE VS. SPEED

DUC ATI 848 USED BUYER’S GUIDE

SMALL BIKES, BIG KIC KS WHY SIZE IS IRRELEVANT WHEN FUN, SPEED AND FITNESS ARE TOP OF YOUR WISH LIST

JU LY ISS 202 UE 2 393

DOES DRAGGING AN ELBOW MAKE YOU FAST?

FIT TO

FIGHT! WITH WE GET STUCK IN TY IS DUCATI’S NEW, FE FEATHERWEIGHT STREETFIGHTER SP

NEW WORLD ORDER

SEARCHING FOR ADVENTURE ON YAMAHA’S NEW TÉNÉRÉ 700 WORLD RAID

PLUS

TRACK SPEC SUZUKI GSX-R1000 KTM1290GT AND SUZUKI GSX-S1000 TERMERS RACE RIOT

ISSUE 393 JULY 2022

38

54

THE KNOWLEDGE

COLUMNISTS

Size isn’t everything… especially when it comes to Ducati’s perfectly-formed 848.

We catch up with the daddy-to-be.

Used Bike Guide.............................. 62

YOUR LIFE ON BIKES

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

Chatter ............................................90 A page dedicated to the best readers in the world…

TESTS

Fit to Fight ...................................... 18 Ducati’s not shy about making its best bikes better, which is what the brand’s done to its awesome Streetfighter V4. New for ’22 is an SP version, which we’ve been getting better acquainted with.

New World Order ............................ 38 Life can be a bit of an adventure at times, and even more so when you find yourself lost in Spain on Yamaha’s new Ténéré 700 World Raid.

BUY

GEAR

FASTBIKESMAG.COM

18

Christian Iddon ............................... 94 Dom Herbertson ............................. 96 Dom’s packing his bags for the TT, fresh from his NW200 return.

Tom Neave ...................................... 97 Tom’s bouncing back following his detour into the barriers at Oulton.

Steve Parrish .................................. 98 Steve’s been out and about in his usual manner.

FEATURES

Style versus Speed ......................... 31 Our man Tim’s been trying to work out whether a fancy style makes for a faster rider?

Small bikes, big kicks ..................... 54 Small bikes have never been more popular for training on. Here’s why…

Track Spec ...................................... 80 Suzuki’s GSX-R1000 makes for an awesome track bike. Especially if you pimp yours up like this one.

Alternatively, scan the QR code on this page and order your next copy today. We will send it directly to you!

To pre-order your next issue of Fast Bikes, head to classicmagazines. co.uk/pre-order-fb

WELCOME

Back at it

T

he last few years have not been normal. Obviously, you don’t need me to tell you that, but it’s only in these past weeks that I’ve come to realise wholeheartedly what it is we’ve been missing out on… or at least from a two-wheeled perspective.

Johnny, Tim and I went to a bike night for the first time in years. The place was rammed with bikes, bikers, and people who simply wanted to be in among it all.

A band was playing, the local chippy was flat-out, and everywhere I looked people seemed content, relaxed and just happy to be casually eyeing up the occasional bike that pulled into or set off from the venue. It was simple, yet brilliant at the same time. The same kind of theme ran through my thoughts on a recent trackday at Cadwell Park. It was the first one in years where I could just rock up, sign up, and go and play on my favourite circuit. It felt a personal experience once again,

catching up properly with a few mates I bumped into without risking a reprimand for getting within 50 metres of them (or whatever those rules were). There were even dozens of spectators standing on the fence line, waiting for me to launch a bike into a barrier, just like the good old days.

It’s this that’s been missing these last few years and I’m so happy it’s back.

You’re probably like me… you ride bikes for the pleasure, but also for the people.

Most of my friendships have been made through motorcycling and it’s been harsh not catching up with so many of my mates, going for a ride simply because you can. On the one hand, going without for a few years has only heightened the adoration I have for motorcycling, making me think twice before turning anything down. I’ve got a lot of catching up to do, and I’ve got a rammed agenda to keep me on my toes, with one of this year’s

highlights likely to be my return to the Isle of Man to watch the TT. It will have happened by the time you read this, but I feel like a kid waiting for Christmas right now, counting down the days until the spectacle begins. My flights are booked, my lodgings are secured, and I know exactly where I’m going to be on the island, watching the rebirth of road racing’s finest offering. I hope to see you there – or anywhere, for that matter.

Enjoy the mag.

Join us on Facebook:

Facebook.com/ FastBikesMagazine View Fast Bikes video content:

youtube.com/ fastbikesmag

Download Fast Bikes:

Mortons.co.uk/FB Join us on Twitter:

@FastBikesMag

BOSSY MAN

BSB SU PER S TA R

bwilson@mortons.co.uk

...and Britain’s best builder

...and pro at pranks

MONEY MAN

TRACK RIDING GURU

YOUNG MAN

coakman@fastbikes.co.uk

...and super nice bloke

FA ST MAN

TT WINNER

SUPERSTOCK WINNER

tneave@mortons.co.uk

...and karaoke king

...and combine king

OLD MAN

MOTOGP SAGE

SUPERBIKE SNAPPER

...and wine connoisseur

...and eBay addict

‘Dangerous’ Bruce Wilson

Charlie ‘The Sheriff’ Oakman

Tim Neave

John McAvoy

gramps@fastbikes.co.uk

SUBSCRIBE! See page 8 for the best deals, or visit classicmagazines.co.uk/ subscription/FB/fast-bikes

6 JULY 2022 WWW.FASTBIKESMAG.COM

Christian Iddon

Dean Ellison

Gary Johnson

Jack Fairman

ROAD RACING LEGEND Peter Hickman ...and BSB winner

RACING PUNDIT

Steve Parrish

Carl Stevens

Tom Neave

Jamie Morris

LEGAL LORE

Andrew Dalton

...and hardcore off-roader

Pay just £3.92 per edition That’s an 18% saving when paying by Direct Debit.

Great reasons to subscribe >> Free UK delivery to your door or instant download to your digital device. >> Save money on shop prices. >> Never miss an issue. >> Receive your issue before it goes on sale in the shops.

PRINT ONLY

One year FOR £47 Direct Debit

One year FOR £48 Credit/debit card

Two years FOR £86 Credit/debit card

DIGITAL ONLY

6 issues FOR £17.99 Credit/debit card »

12 issues FOR £33.99 Credit/debit card »

classicmagazines.co.uk/FBDPS TERMS & CONDITIONS: Rates are based on UK orders only; for overseas please visit www.classicmagazines.co.uk/fb-overseas. Subscriptions will start with the next available issue. Offer closes 14/07/22. Direct debit payments will continue at the price you paid, on this offer, every 12 months thereafter unless you tell us otherwise.

Full terms and conditions can be found at www.classicmagazines.co.uk/terms. Quoted savings are based on a 12-issue direct debit subscription when compared to the cost of 12 full-price printed issues.

SUBSCRIBE AND SAVE! 01507 529529 and quote FBDPS Lines are open from 8 .3 0am-5pm (Monday-Friday).

WDS WORDS: SIR ALAN OF DO

, NE WS & REV IEW S PLA NE T FAST BIKES – NE W ME TAL

TRACK DAY 2022 Fast Bikes has teamed up with Michelin Tyres and No Limits this year to bring you a massive Track Day With Benefits on Tuesday, July 19 at the legendary Donington Park circuit.

The Fast Bikes team will be present, giving some of Michelin’s finest rubber a proper spanking – and you are invited to come along and do the same. There will be plenty of rubber advice on offer from Michelin technicians, and everyone will get a top-notch goodie bag.

There will be top prizes on the day, too.

Michelin will reward anyone riding on its tyres that day with a free gift, one of which will include a famed ‘golden ticket’. There will even be a few 10 JULY 2022 WWW.FASTBIKESMAG.COM

surprise celebrity guest stars – we’ve got some riders from Michelin’s race programme booked, and they’ll be out on circuit, showing us the way round. Donington is a proper world-class venue, with nigh on 2.5 miles of asphalt that has been home to legendary races and battles between the most iconic riders of our time. Craner Curves remain arguably the most rewarding sections on a UK race track, and the mix of fast corners, slow bends, and long smooth stretches of tarmac makes it one of the most exhilarating tracks in this country.

It’s going to be an awesome day, so keep an eye on future issues of Fast Bike and our website,

fastbikesmag.com, for additional information.

Bookings are via the No Limits trackday organisers – and remember, Donington track spaces sell out fast under normal circumstances, so they’ll not be available for long.

Book now at www.nolimitstrackdays.com, selecting Tuesday, July 19 at Donington Park.

As always, there are advanced, middle, and lower groups on the standard track day, and please be advised that we will only be there during the day – not for any of the evening sessions.

Oh, and it will be noisy, at 105db... but you would expect that, right?

MEET THE NEW BOSS AT DUCATI… Ducati UK has a new man in charge. Long-serving MD Tim Maccabee left the company earlier this year for pastures new and his replacement is Fabrizio Cazzoli, a veteran Ducati employee from Bologna. Cazzoli comes to the UK straight from a long stint in the Far East, setting up Ducati China and looking after Ducati Japan. We grabbed a quick chat with him at the firm’s Silverstone HQ, and asked what he had planned for the firm’s UK outfit.

The first question is how he got here – and it turns out he’s a Bologna man through and through. “I joined Ducati back in 1997, in the operations department at the factory. Next, I went to Japan to be the country manager there in 2004. Then, after four years I had an opportunity to change, and worked for Maserati to set up Maserati Japan. I remained there for 10

years and then came back to the ‘family’, with Ducati in China. I am made in Bologna, like Ducati! I’ve always worked for companies from there; Ducati is from Bologna and Maserati is now based in Modena, but it was established in Bologna.”

Now, though, Cazzoli is back in Europe, heading up the UK operation from Silverstone. “I thought, after 18 years in Asia, it was about time to come back to Europe.”

It’s been a bit of a culture shock, of course. “China is very different for almost everything, including the culture for motorcycling.

Riding here in the UK is beautiful because of the roads and the atmosphere, and you can go where you want. In China it’s banned almost everywhere, because the state controls your behaviour and motorcycling is a ‘weird’ thing.”

Cazzoli is also impressed by our obsession with performance in the UK. “Some models are in extremely high demand here, like the Multistrada V4 Pikes Peak – that is very much a UK bike, and sportsbikes are still very strong in the UK. Our Ducati track days immediately sold out. We should do more, and we will do more.”

YAM XSR125 LEGACY A retro version of a retro roadster? Has Yamaha gone retro-cray-cray? Well, yes and no: folk can’t get enough of the tasty little learner-legal XSR125 roadster as it is, so an extra version will no doubt sell well. And this Legacy variant is essentially a cosmetic makeover anyway – gold-rimmed and wire-spoked wheels, 1970s paint job, and chunky Metzeler Karoo rubber. The engine is the same four-valve liquid-cooled single-cylinder 125 as the base XSR, putting out a mighty 14.75bhp. It’s priced at £4950 and will be in dealers in June.

The new Ducati boss also reckons the UK track riding scene is just immense. “What I like here is the quality of the sport segment. People go fast!

My colleagues keep inviting me to a trackday and I have done trackdays before, but I am scared to do it here because I’m afraid I’ll be mowed down!”

The great British passion for going nuts on sportsbikes is right up Ducati’s street, of course, and the new UK boss is keen to support that passion to the hilt. The firm is set to expand its trackday operation at Silverstone and Donington, and is also looking to bring over the Ducati Riding Experience (DRE) training academy to Northamptonshire – complete with big-name race instructors. The academy has been a massive hit in Italy over the years, with top Ducati racers and test riders turning up to tracks like Mugello and Misano for high-end training sessions.

“The agreement with Silverstone is a partnership for the long term and together with Silverstone, we have a lot of ideas. Some are new, some are not new, but we will bring them here, like the DRE Racetrack Academy. We are in the temple of motorsport here – it’s a no-brainer!”

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

Planned new ‘anti-tampering’ laws won’t apply to current bikes

Government ministers say we can keep our pipes and tuned motors – probably…

Parliament and the British Government seldom spit out much in the way of positive stories for motorcycling (or anything else at the moment), but last month saw a small nugget of good news for anyone who likes to modify their bike, when Transport Minister Trudy Harrison seemed to rule out new anti-tampering laws for existing bikes.

The Government had released proposals last year around ‘anti-tampering’ legislation, which was aimed at maintaining the emissions, safety and efficiency of new cars and bikes. The idea is not new: if the law says that bikes must perform in a certain way when new – emissions, safety systems, noise, say – then it must make sure that end users also comply with those rules. There are various ways to do that, of course – the MoT test does check cars for emissions, and if your bike has ABS it shouldn’t have any warning lights. In extreme form, this type of regulation could mean that only standard original factory parts could be fitted to a bike throughout its life – a disaster for the aftermarket sector and folk who want to improve or customise their machines.

The proposed laws seemed to spring from new types of vehicles that are emerging – electric and self-driving cars. High-voltage electrical motors and batteries will bring new dangers, and a self-driving car obviously has massive potential for mayhem if its software was fiddled with by dodgy aftermarket hackers or the like.

So, safety experts were keen to see rules that would prevent unauthorised repairs or modifications to these software and hardware systems, keeping things to approved standards, while updating the overall regulations on safety and emissions for road vehicles.

Seems sensible enough – but then, it looked like that might turn into a general blanket ban on aftermarket modifications to all vehicles. Worried MPs, including bikers like Steve Baker MP, spoke against oppressive new anti-tampering rules at a parliamentary debate, pointing out the jobs and taxes provided by the aftermarket and tuning trade, as well as the benefits for riders.

Replying to the debate, Transport Minister Trudy Harrison spoke favourably about the long heritage of vehicle modification and the industries which support this, revealing that she modified her own cars when she was younger. She said that the Government’s plans should protect a healthy aftermarket sector and protect motor sports and heritage vehicles. She firmly stated that any new regulations will not be retrospective, with new measures targeting ‘safety and health’, particularly the tampering with advanced and autonomous driving systems and modifications that increase emissions from new and future vehicles.

Good news, then – but the new rules aren’t law yet. Mrs Harrison confirmed that the Government would announce further plans during the summer and is still considering any new laws.

Craig Carey-Clinch, of campaigning body the National Motorcyclists Council, said: “Ruling out historic vehicles is a welcome step, but as always, the devil will be in the detail in relation to safety and emissions systems. But for now it is clear that motorcyclists have made a significant impact, demonstrating the value of political engagement.

“We will await the Government’s more detailed plans with interest to see if the minister’s warm words translate into a positive result.”

JULY 2022 WWW.FASTBIKESMAG.COM 11

, NEWS & REVIEW S PLANE T FAST BIKES – NEW METAL

BIKESAFE TRAINING Our man Dowds found himself on a Bikesafe training course last month, thanks to Devitt Insurance, which sponsors the scheme. After meeting up at the Bike Shed in East London and drinking his own bodyweight in powerful coffee, he set out for a day’s riding around Essex with his very own burly police motorcyclist in tow. After a dodgy start, where the nice officer was visibly shaken by the urban atrocity that is Dowds’ town-riding skills, he cheered up a bit when the roads opened out.

“It’s a top day out for the cash,” said Dowds. “Obviously, there’s the buzz of having a police escort all day, but these guys really know their onions when it comes to safer riding skills. The police riding system isn’t the Holy Grail that some people seem to think it is, but it’s definitely worth a look to see if you can integrate some of its aspects into your riding.

“The road positioning and hazard awareness is pretty useful, especially if you’re starting out your riding career. It’s totally

rubbish for wheelie and stoppie tips, sadly, but you can’t have it all, eh?”

The Bikesafe scheme operates in England, Wales, and Northern Ireland (Scotland is in the process of setting its own version up) and costs just £65 for the day – amazing value. It’s not a formal training day: rather, the police rider observes you and feeds back on areas you might want to work on.

Armed with that advice, you can then go and get some advanced training focussed on those areas.

UK bike industry launches new Elite rider training scheme

NORTON HERITAGE COLLECTION It’s fair to say that Norton Motorcycles has had plenty of big jobs on its plate since being taken over by TVS, the gigantic Indian bike firm. Sorting out its product range, looking after owners who were burned by the previous regime, setting up a new production centre in Solihull, and getting the whole brand back on track is a serious undertaking.

But it’s good to see that the firm is looking out for its heritage as well. Norton’s history has been a bit of a car crash for much of the last 30 years, but it was a genuine giant in its day, winning GP titles, selling millions of bikes, and producing cutting-edge engine and chassis designs. And the new owners have begun the process of

12 JULY 2022 WWW.FASTBIKESMAG.COM

setting up a new Norton heritage collection by starting to buy up some landmark machines. The first tranche of 55 bikes includes some proper mad old stuff, like a 1921 Model 1 and a speedway racebike from 1930. But it also has one of the gorgeous 1990 F1 rotary superbikes, based on the legendary RCW588 racebikes that famously won the 1992 Senior TT under Steve Hislop and even took the BSB title in 1994 with Ian Simpson – the only British bike to ever win a BSB championship.

Okay – our favourite type of rider training generally involves a hardened ex-MotoGP or WSBK racer showing us how best to utterly smash our way round a big race track. But most of us spend far more time riding on the road than on track, so it makes sense to work on our road-riding skills too.

Post-test training often gets a bad rap, but it’s not all about high-vis safety anoraks barking about life-savers and correct indicator protocols. Proper road rider training makes you safer, smoother, and often quicker.

So fair play to the MCIA – the Motorcycle Industry Association.

It’s the trade body that promotes bikes in the UK, and it’s just launched a new rider training body that brings together all the different rider training outfits across the country in one place.

Dubbed the Elite Rider Hub (www.eliteriderhub.co.uk), it’s a one-stop shop for advanced training schemes, and aims to make it easy for folk to find the right course for them. It covers the usual suspects: IAM, RoSPA, Bikesafe and the Government Enhanced Rider Scheme but also works with other trainers, like the BMW, Honda and Kawasaki in-house rider training courses.

Check it out – and you’ll get to your next trackday or race school safer, smoother and quicker…

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

DAINESE CARVE MASTER 3 JACKET A high-end Dainese textile jacket is a thing of beauty, and everyone should have one at some point. This, the cheesilynamed Carve Master 3, continues the tradition, with a full Gore-Tex membrane, thermal zip-out liner, zip-opening vents, and Dainese’s Pro-Armour protectors in

www.dainese.com

elbows and shoulders. There are bespoke locations for back and chest protectors, and it’s crammed with pockets, adjusters and connecting zips – and there’s a matching trouser option. Comes in black, black/red and black/yellow, in both men’s (44-62) and women’s (38-52) sizes.

RRP: £549.99

ALPINESTARS CERIUM JEANS Okay, lots of us bikers are mad old men these days... but that doesn’t mean we want to be wearing mad old man jeans.

Too many protective riding denims look like supermarket jeans from the 1990s, sadly – but these Alpinestars Cerium trews look a bit tastier. They come in blue, or a special dark indigo base colour with a black overcoat for a 3D denim look. They’ve got some elastomer material in the 12oz denim for a stretch fit, include Nucleon knee armour, and have a slim cut. Aimed at commuting and urban use, and will fit in nicely at the bar.

www.alpinestars.com

RRP: £180

DANGO CAMERA CLAMP If you’re not videoing and ‘monetising’ every second of your life, then what even is the point of being alive in 2022, people? Exactly. This handy Dango clip-on camera mount will help you get the (reads notes) gnarliest angles for

your sick action videos. It’s a large, strong, super-grippy clamp that’s easy to lock on most places, including the chin bar on your helmet, for the perfect riding sequences. Comes with a GoPro-type camera mount and a security lanyard.

https://dango-design.co.uk

RRP: £49.99

ROTHEWALD CHAIN SPLITTER Splitting a chain sometimes feels harder than splitting the atom – especially if you don’t have the proper kit to remove and re-rivet the joining links.

We’ve ended up crying tears of rage on the garage floor after yet another sh*t tool gave up the ghost, leaving us with no

drive at midnight on a Sunday and work the next day.

Enter this Rothewald chain tool from giant German firm Louis Moto. It’s a solid lump of metal, with all the attachments needed to change almost every bike chain out there, and an ergonomic design, housed in a

www.louis-moto.co.uk/marken/rothewald 14 JULY 2022 WWW.FASTBIKESMAG.COM

tough metal carry case. Not cheap, but looks like decent value – we’ve got one in to try and will report back on how it goes.

RRP: £99.54

PRODUCTS

LS 2 CHALLENGER CARBON HELMET LS2 lids have been appearing on the heads of a few world-class racers of late, including Ana Carrasco and John McPhee. And the firm’s Challenger Carbon race lid has had a makeover for 2022, with three new colour options – red, red/white/blue, and high-vis yellow highlights, over the base carbon shell. It’s ACU Gold and ECE22.05 approved, features a quick-release visor and internal sun visor, and comes with a Pinlock insert, tinted visor and premium helmet bag. Weighing in at 1350g, it comes in sizes XXS-XXXL

www.ls2 helmets.com

RRP: £32 9.99

FURYGAN OVERTAKE RACE SUIT Inflation is ruining everyone’s life – but you can still get a high-end one-piece leather race suit from a big brand for under a grand... just about – like this Overtake suit from French leather aces Furygan.

Optimised by feedback from factory riders such as Michael Dunlop and Johann Zarco, the Overtake suit has a Kevlar-reinforced cowhide construction, with neoprene comfort inserts and double-layer leather in impact zones.

It’s supplied with British D3O smart protectors, and is also compatible with the In&Motion airbag system (available separately).

A new aerodynamic hump, removable inner liner, chest protector pockets and elbow sliders are all present and correct, and it has Furygan’s latest generation knee sliders, which are lighter than before and have improved sliding feedback. Available in red/black, black/ white, and blue/black, in sizes 46-58.

www.furygan.com

TC X CLIMATREK BOOTS

It’s the age-old problem: you ride to an event – maybe BSB or MotoGP, maybe the pub, maybe the seaside. Then you have to clump about in bike boots all day, ending up with blisters and aching tootsies. Top boot firm TCX has the answer – and it’s gone large, for sure.

These Climatrek boots are a blend of a short riding boot, complete with Gore-Tex membrane, and a proper hiking boot, so you can ride to Ben Nevis or Mount

https://uk.tcxboots.com

RRP: £949.99 Snowdon, schlepp up the top for a look, then ride home, in total comfort. Maybe.

The Climatrek design uses TCX’s cunning breathable sole ventilation system to keep sweat at bay. The boots also have built-in CE protection at the shin and malleolus as well as toe and heel reinforcements. Just the job for all you adventure touring folks out there.

Available in sizes EU 38-48, and in a special women’s fitment from sizes 35-42.

RRP £199.99

MG BIKETEC REARSETS New into the UK from Austria are these MG Biketec rearsets. Available for loads of current and recent sportsbikes, including the Ducati Panigale V4, Fireblade, R1 and ZX-10R, they’re fully

TÜV approved, high-quality designs, with hard-anodised high-tensile 7075 & 6082 grade heat-treated billet aluminium construction. Heel plates are carbon fibre, all hardware is stainless steel,

www.performanceparts-ltd.com

and they can be set up for race or road gear shift on most bikes. All levers have ball bearing support, you can have folding or fixed footpegs, and they are multi-way adjustable for the perfect fit. Sweet.

RRP: From £40 8 (Ducati Panigale)

JULY 2022 WWW.FASTBIKESMAG.COM 15

ED AND REV IEW ED THE VERY BES T KIT – US ED, ABUS

R&G PADDOCK STANDS TESTED BY: Bruce MILES: Here, there and everywhere TIME: Two years PRICE: Front (£86 .98) / rear single-sided (£1 32 .99) / rear double-sided (£86 .98) WEB: www.rg-racing.com

Whether you’re a habitual track addict or simply like to service your bike like a pro, paddock stands are essential to the cause. At Fast Bikes, we like a bit of both, which means we have a solid need for decent stands… and luckily for us, we’ve got a fleet of R&G stands

16 JULY 2022 WWW.FASTBIKESMAG.COM

that have seen us right for years on tests, up and down the country, as well as on the odd trip abroad. The brand’s Elevation series boasts a couple of rear options, including a double-sided type unit with adjustable hooks to coincide with swingarm-mounted bobbins, and there’s also a solid, single-sided unit that can incorporate different spindle arms to suit the your bike’s dimensions (sold separately).

All stands come coated in a tough, black powder coat finish, which means you can launch them around the paddock or the back of the van without too much concern for their finish. Trust me, these are tough stands, and the adjustability of the arms on the front and double-sided rear unit means

they’re versatile enough to fit just about any bike. And if your bike’s front forks aren’t the type to accommodate the pin-type applications that come as standard, a trick I’ve learned is to reverse the pins so they’re slotted outside of the frame, meaning you’ve got flat edges on the inside, perfect for slotting against most stanchion bottoms. The double-sided rear works exactly as it says on the tin, or steel, to be more precise. It would be handy if there were cup-style attachments too, as not every bike has, or can, facilitate bobbins. The single-sided option also gets my praise for simply doing a decent job. It’s got a sturdy build quality and the changeable spindle means it’s no one trick pony. A couple of circlips is all it takes to slot one pin out and another in.

There’s not much more I can really say, other than I think they reflect good value for money and have proven implicitly durable over time.

What’s more to ask for?

FIT TO FIGHT FEATURE

W O R D S : JO H N N Y M A C P I C S : JA M I E M O R R I S

DUCATI STREETFIGHTER V4 SP Questions: How do you take a bike that not only already has more power than you could ever possibly need, but that delivers it in a smooth and controllable way? How do you take a bike which has a chassis that talks to you with such clarity that you want for nothing? How do you take a bike with rider aids that are so good you don’t know they are there, and make it better? Answer: You make it lighter.

DUCATI STREETFIGHTER V4 SP

T JULY 2022 WWW.FASTBIKESMAG.COM 19

FEATURE

T

he Ducati Streetfighter V4 is hardly a bike you could ever describe as being a bit bland or flat, or wanting for anything. It’s also fair to say that the Streetfighter V4S isn’t exactly lardy at 178kg dry, so losing any significant amount of weight is going to be a challenge without getting all Superleggera and firing massive quantities of titanium, magnesium, and carbon fibre at it – along with an equally exotic price tag.

Instead, Ducati has boxed clever and let physics do most of the work by fitting the SP with the same set of carbon wheels found on the Superleggera that cashes in at 1.4kg lighter than the V4 S’s alloy wheels. On the surface, 1.4kg might not sound like a lot, but when that weight loss is unsprung weight, it makes a big difference. Anything on the bike that isn’t supported by the springs in the suspension is ‘unsprung weight’, so wheels, tyres, brakes, wheel spindles, fork tubes, or fork bottoms – depending on whether your

bike has upside-down forks or not – are all unsprung.

The effect of reducing unsprung weight is so much more than just the 1.4kg headline figure: it’s the holy grail of chassis design.

Less unsprung weight means every time the suspension moves up when it hits a bump, if there’s less mass to start the movement, which means greater responsiveness and precision. Plus, there’s less inertia when the suspension slows down and changes direction at the end of the stroke. So, in general terms, the suspension gets a much easier time. Then there’s the gyroscopic effect of specifically using lighter wheels.

The invisible force generated by the rotating mass of the wheels is so powerful, even at low speed, that it can hold the weight of the bike and rider upright and apparently defy the laws of physics. It’s this force which needs to be overcome in order to make the bike go round a corner, usually by pushing/ pulling on the handlebars and/or leaning off

Below: The best way to check fork length travel...

Right: The paint scheme is stealthy but there’s no mistaking those wings.