Fast Bikes - Summer 2019 - Preview

M MAKE YOUR B HANDLEE BIKE HANDS-ON GEOMETRY H

HONDA SP1

WORKSHOP

BUYER’S GUIDE

❯ HOW TO CHECK AND CHANGE A CLUTCH ❯ TOP TOOLS RATED

SUMM MER 2019 ISSUE 355

BLITZED

❚ YAMAHA

TÉNÉRÉ 700 0

HEAD TO HEAD ON…

❚ ❚ ❚ ❚

ROAD DYNO CIRCUIT TEST TRACK

2019’s

ULTIMATE

SPORTTS BIKE EIGHT RIVALS, TH HREE TESTS, ONE WINNER

❚ TOP SPEEDS ❚ FASTEST LAPS LA A ❚ BEST COMFORT ❚ 0-60MPH ❚ USABILITY TY Y & TECH ❚ 100-0MPH ❚ BEST HANDLING

No.355 Summer 2019

ALSO INSIDE

❯❯ LORIS CAPIROSSI ❯❯ TRACKDAY TIPS & TECHNIQUES ❯❯ RACE RIOT ❯❯ HOW TO WIN A NO LIMITS TRACKDAY

UK off-sale date – 23/07/2019

£4.40

ISSUE 355 SUMMER 2019 9

IT’S THE NEWS!

Upfront............................................10 Getting the juiciest goss first!

GEARED UP!

Tested .............................................15 Tried, tested and thrashed.

THE KNOWLEDGE

Used Buyer’s Guide.........................70 Iconic used superbikes don’t come much better than the VTR1000R SP1…

YOUR LIFE ON BIKES

Addiction.........................................56 Something a little different, and very special.

You & Yours.....................................92 All of your adventures!

18 SUB

Chatter ............................................94 It’s only fair we give the best readers in the world some pages of their own!

RIBE C S e8 pag See etails d r o f

MASTERCLASS

Workshop........................................96

How to check your clutch and change the plates.

Know Your.....................................102 Wet tyres. Always important for the UK!

What a tool .................................. 104 --------------------------

OUR LIFE ON BIKES

Staff Bikes.....................................112

Summer is here! Yamaha MT-10SP/Honda CBR650R/Kawasaki ZX-6R.

RACE SECTION

58

Pit Pass..........................................108 The lowdown on BSB, WSBK and MotoGP.

Loris Capirossi ..............................118 We grill the legendary Italian.

FEATURES COVER STORY

TESTS

COLUMNISTS

Neave Twins................................ 125

COVER STORY

Things are on the up!

Ultimate Sports Bike.....................18

Bike Geometry .............................76

Delving into the dark art of geometry…

The biggest, most comprehensive sportsbike test we’ve ever done.

Ninja Experience...........................88

Yamaha Ténéré Launch ................58

We see what Kawasaki’s Ninja Experience is all about.

We get dirty on Yamaha's new adventure bike.

88

Scott Redding ............................. 127 Back to winning ways.

Christian Iddon ...........................129 Literally shitting himself.

Steve Parrish...............................130 Causing havoc.

MASTERCLASS Riding ............................................82 How to learn a new track!

Legal ..............................................79 Don’t discriminate.

4 SUMMER 2019 WWW.FASTBIKESMAG.COM

WELCOME

T

here was a bit of blood, a good chunk of sweat and I believe someone (Carl…) might have even shed a few tears in the making of Ultimate Sports Bike 2019. I’ll be honest, at one point, after months of planning, graft and countless cups of tea, it looked as if our biggest ever sportsbike test was about to fall flat on its backside, but thanks to the brilliant industry that we’re in, and too many key individuals to mention by name, we pulled off a test quite like no other, being the first in the country to gather the full plethora of 2019’s best sportsbikes and to give them a good spanking on road, track and on proving ground. It was an epic undertaking, but also a real privilege to experience, systematically analysing and rating what each bike had on offer, on a broader platform than we’ve ever known before. I should probably point out that this test, USB, is the evolution of SBOTY, taking all that was good with the proven platform of old, and expanding its criteria to judge bikes on road as well as track, to work out not just which is quickest round a lap, but which is best at 0-60mph and which one will haul you up the quickest if a pheasant jumps out at you. It was a very telling exercise, crammed with laughs, wheelies and the shredding of Bridgestone’s brilliant S22 rubber that fuelled our high-octane antics. We’re really proud of it and I hope it’ll help you if you’re poised to unleash a few moths from your wallet and purchase a new sportsbike this season.

While we’re on the topic of proud, I also want to make reference to our Road Test Editor Mike Booth. He’s a normal guy like you and I, only a bit smellier and with a penchant for dangerous activities. He’s just one of the lads, who grafts hard, plays hard and in 2019 cracked the top 14 in the I.O.M. TT Senior race on his stocker-spec ZX-10R. We could not be prouder of his efforts, which is why Fast Bikes has decided to give him his weekends off for the next four weeks (I know, we’re too generous!). I should probably point out that it was Boothy who did the road evaluations for the bikes on USB, so have faith in knowing that the guy clocking the miles and making the calls is actually someone who knows what it is to ride hard and fast. Were you over there? I was lucky enough to make it, and to actually see some racing. The weather was pants, but the boys and girls put on one hell of a show when the sun came out. It still blows my mind and I hope everyone gets the chance to experience the spectacle at least once in their life. On a final note, I just want to say thanks for your continued support and for keeping us in the loop with what you've been up to. Enjoy the mag.

Blast off for Boothy...

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BOSS MAN

‘Dangerous’ Bruce Wilson dangerous@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

TECH MAN

Rob ‘Beano’ Bean

tech@fastbikes.co.uk

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SUMMER 2019 WWW.FASTBIKESMAG.COM 7

NE W S & REV IEW S PL ANET FAST BIKES – NE W ME TA L,

FAST BIKES TRACKDAY IN ASSOCIATION WITH BRIDGESTONE IS ALMOST HERE!

Don’t fancy missing out? Well get your bums booked on with No Limits Trackdays!

In case you missed it a few months ago, we’ll be back at Cadwell Park once again for our very own trackday on Monday, July 1. The day will be run across the usual format, with groups for Novice, Intermediate and Advanced – meaning there’s a session fit for everyone.

Not only will we just be riding, as we’ll also have competitions on the day, goody bags, freebies, and some super cool stuff that’s a surprise. One thing we do promise though, is that it’s going to be bloody awesome.

For more information or to book on with us, head over to www.nolimitstrackdays.com.

Oh, and keep on www.fastbikesmag.com as we release more info on the lead up to it. It’s going to be a blast!

DAINESE ANNOUNCE TWO MORE EXPERIENCE PROJECTS Following the success of their Riding Master event at Misano last month, Dainese have just announced not only another track school, but also an expedition trip for good measure.

Taking place on June 29, the Riding Master Franciacorta will follow the same format as before, with classes looking after everyone from absolute novices to budding racers and everything in between.

If you fancy an off-road adventure, the new Expedition Masters experience will be held from July 27 to August 4, spanning the entire perimeter of Iceland on a fleet of BMW R 1250 GS rentals. The tour starts in Reykjavik and passes by active volcanoes, geysers, glaciers and fjords, alongside having training camps along the way for the ultimate off-road experience.

It will set you back a whopping €7,299, but that includes the rental of a BMW R 1250 GS H, insurance, accommodation, a qualified guide, training on and off-road, and a professional photo/video service. Not to mention the fact that you get to keep €4,000 worth of kit, comprising of an AGV AX9 helmet, Antartica Gore-Tex jacket and pants combo, Universe gloves, and Centauri boots.

Oh, and they’re pretty bloody good as well. We went along on the inaugural Riding Masters event at Misano, and you can read all about it in next month’s magazine. But for now, all the deets are available at www.dainese.com

BOOK A KTM TEST RIDE, WIN MOTOGP TICKETS! That sounds like a win win, doesn’t it? So if you’re looking for a new KTM Street road bike and fancy being in with a chance of winning some VIP MotoGP tickets, get yourself booked in for a test ride by the July 31 and you’ll be entered into a competition to win a special weekend at Silverstone with the Red Bull KTM Factory Racing Team for you and a mate.

The lucky winner will receive two VIP tickets for Sunday’s racing at Silverstone in August, where you’ll be based at Red Bull’s famously lavish, three-storey hospitality suite – you know, the behemoth that probably takes about a billion hours to set up. Not only will you have access to the factory spec hospitality on offer throughout the day, but you’ll also get a meet and greet with KTM’s MotoGP™ riders, a tour of the MotoGP™ paddock and get an exclusive glimpse into the heart of KTM’s MotoGP™ team with a proper tour of the KTM pit garage to see how the Red Bull KTM Factory Racing Team operates. Now, that’s not too shabby, is it?

There’s some terms and conditions floating about, but to book on head over to ktm2019.contactonline.co.uk

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

MOTORCYCLE LIVE REDUCE PARKING PRICES… Oh yes, just what we like to hear! We all love going to bike shows, but things do get a tad pricey, don’t they? Well thankfully for this year Motorcycle Live has reduced the car parking prices by a pretty handsome 25%.

This means that car parking booked in advance will set you back £10, while on the day will be £12, so you can spend more money on bikes and kit… or something like that. As always, bike parking is free, and advanced tickets are on sale now.

The show will run from the 16th-24th November, and we look forward to seeing you there…

For more info, head over to www.motorcyclelive.co.uk

M PUT THEIR MV SUPERVELOCE 800 S S SERIE ORO CONCEPT INTO PRODUCTION Here at Fast Bikes, we like something that’s a bit H diifferent, and the Superveloce 800 Serie Oro is exactly hat… th Released at EICMA last year, a lot of people went bsolutely nuts about it, which is exactly why MV Agusta ab haave finally confirmed that they are putting it in prroduction. Timur Sardarov, CEO of MV Agusta actually went on to say that “This is one of the meanest and most w sttylish bikes we’ve ever produced” - although we’d prrobably say those accolades go to the Brutale 1000 any daay of the week.

They’re available for pre-order now through your local deealer, or failing that, the MV Agusta website. The first 00 bikes are set to be delivered in March 2020, although 30 we’re still yet to hear word on a price… w

DUCATI OPEN ‘ANATOMY OF SPEED’ EXHIBITION There’s been a craze going on in the last few years; started in car racing, taken on in MotoGP and is now trickling down into road bikes… and that’s the importance of aerodynamics, and namely wings. And being at the forefront of the technology fight, who better to open up an exhibition all about it than Ducati - who have just opened their latest attraction at their Museum, dubbed the ‘Anatomy of Speed’.

So what is it? Essentially, it’s an exhibition that illustrates all the wizardry behind aerodynamics, how Ducati utilise ‘em, and how things have evolved over the years. It consists of photos, videos, display panels and projections, alongside actual machines and fairings for good measure.

The Anatomy of Speed exhibition is the third temporary show hosted at the Ducati Museum, and will be open until 8th October 2019.

12 SUMMER 2019 WWW.FASTBIKESMAG.COM

D REVIEW ED ND BUS ED AN THE VERY BEST KIT – US ED, AB I’ve got big hands, but grabbing a full rotation of a GSX-R 1000’s throttle seems a stretch beyond me. I had two choices: a wrist extension operation, or to treat my bike to a quick action throttle. I decided to go for the latter and spent a fair bit of time checking out the competition. There are lots of options for L8 Suzukis, but one stood out among the many. It was Yoshimura’s Quick Throttle Kit, and the reason it appealed to me was because of its simplicity. It didn’t require additional cables, deciding on what coloured cam to insert, or how I should alter my hairstyle to suit it… it just needed bolting to the bike and the original throttle cables attaching. I’m not the most mechanically minded, but within 40 minutes it was bolted to the bike and working like a good’un.

That said, because of the angle of my ‘bars, I did have some clearance issues to sort, and I also chose not to follow the instructions that suggested I mutilated my right-hand switchgear – I just moved it up the ‘bar to make place for the new arrival.

What’s it like to ride with?

Brilliant, in all honesty. I was a little apprehensive that the power would

The Yoshi throttle might be quick, but Bruce on the other hand...

LE KIT YOSHIMURA QUICK THROTT TESTED BY: Bruce MI LES: 1,000 TIM E: 2 months PR ICE: £277 anceparts-ltd.com WEB: www.perform

be too harsh and the delivery unpredictable, but the quarter turn throttle tube is perfectly linear in its design, so it gives a familiar feel to the standard unit… only in a much smaller range.

Most importantly, I’ve found I can now pull the throttle to the stop and my wrist is not left in an awkward angle. It’s transformed my riding

experience and I’m m really pleased I’ve made the call to fit one now rather than suffer unnecessarily.

Carl’s got the same bike and his stock throttle gives him the same grief, so I dare say a few other folk out there will be having the same issue. If you are, look no further for your solution. This is just the ticket.

D REV IEW ED ND BUS ED AN THE VERY BEST KI T – US ED, AB DAINESE MUGELLO LEATHER JACKET TESTED BY: Carlos MILES: 3,000+ TIME: 20 months PRICE: £520 WEB: www.dainese.com

I absolutely love leathers. Don’t get me wrong. Nothing rivals their safety, or the confidence they give when it’s time to go and slay some back roads. Yet, they aren’t always practical, are they? Sometimes I don’t want to turn up somewhere covered in sweat and flies, but I still want to have a bit of a blast on the way – which is exactly where a leather jacket slots into my life.

This one is the Mugello from Dainese to be exact, and I have to admit, it’s bloody lovely. Okay, it’s not the super-duper range-topping D-Air example, but even so the quality is absolutely stunning. The stitching, zips, pockets, the armour and the internal fabric are still in incredibly good condition, which is a testament to the Italians as I’ve used this for near enough every road blast of an evening or at the weekend for almost two years. I’ve

heard some horror storie es about the fitting on Dainese pro oducts, but this literally fits like a glo ove and did from the very first time I put it on, and even though it’s quitte chunky, it doesn’t feel weighty by any a means.

It’s definitely on the pricier side on the spectrum for a jacke et, but it looks so bloody cool I ca an wear it out, or to the pub withou ut looking like a tool, and the best part p is, it’s got more protection than you can shake a stick at in the case of an excursion. It does d get quite toasty when temperatures go north of o the 23/24-degree mark though, and trust me wh hen I say it’s not exactly waterproof, but if you’re looking to splash the cassh for a proper smart jackett, I’d definitely recommend d one of these.

The Dainese Mugello offers more protection than you can shake a stick at.

16 SUMMER 2019 WWW.FASTBIKESMAG.COM

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