MASTER THE WET SPANKING TA STROKER MA S KER KR JUNIOR’S ’99 RGV500R
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347
THE E BEST KIT, STYLE & ATTITUDE
PLUS
2019’s
NEW M ETAL
D E K A N GET ! T E Y T S E T D E K A N T S E FACTORY H O G N U O U O T T , VS T S E G G I TRIPLE RS B D E E R P S U O 0R VS 1290 DUKE R VS R: TESTED FO S100
HOW TO:
BUY A USED 4 50 KCU GSX-R7 OCKHILL CIR IT
❯ MASTER KN FUELLING ❯ SORT YOUR BIKE’S -10R ZX ❯ LIVE WITH AN ’04 BIKE ❯ FUND YOUR NEXT ET ❯ RACE ON A BUDG
S THE ROAD ✔LIFE ON D E ✔TOP SPE T R O ✔COMF S E IM ✔LAP T S IE L ✔WHEE H ✔0-60MP ✔MPG
ISSUE 347 DECEMBER 2018
IT’S THE NEWS!
Upfront ........................................... 10 All the tastiest biking titbits.
GEARED UP!
Products .......................................... 17
All the latest, coolest and trickest products.
THE KNOWLEDGE
Used Buyer’s Guide ......................... 70 Everything you need to know when buying a K4/5 GSX-R750.
MASTERCLASS
Project .............................................80 Rob’s Ninja is starting to take shape.
Track Attack ....................................84 How to master the best of British circuits. This month: Knockhill.
Legal ................................................88 Does playing the ‘I know my rights, copper’ card actually work?
Know Your .......................................90 Fuelling modules – what are they and why do you need one?
62 TESTS COVER STORY
Get naked...................................... 20
YOUR LIFE ON BIKES
Part one of our biggest and best super naked test sees four of the best European bikes put to the test.
You’re going to love the Tecstra Moto2 bike we have featured as this month’s centrefold.
Stroker of genius .......................... 62
Addiction.........................................56
Chatter ............................................ 76
It’s only fair we give the best readers in the world a couple of pages of their own!
You & Yours ..................................... 78 All of your latest adventures!
OUR LIFE ON BIKES
Staff Bikes .......................................92 More models, more miles and more mods.
Kawasaki Ninja 400 • Kawasaki H2 SX • Yamaha YZF-R1M •
Suzuki GSX-S1000 • KTM 1290 GT • Honda CB1000R •
RACE SECTION
Pit Pass.......................................... 100 The lowdown on BSB, WSBK and MotoGP.
20
COVER STORY
Ever wondered what it’s like to take a two-stroke 500cc GP bike round Cadwell? Bruce went to find out.
FEATURES
Mastering the wet ........................ 43 Don’t let rain stop play – learn how to enjoy getting wet.
Fund your fun ............................... 52 With so many ways to find the pennies to buy a new bike, we thought we would have a look at some of the best.
43
Charlie goes racing ....................... 104
If you have ever fancied taking up bike racing on a budget, have a read to see how Charlie got on in his first ever CB500 race.
Race Riot ....................................... 108
COLUMNISTS
Neave twins ...................................111
It was the last round of the year and instead of leaving on a high, Tom left on a stretcher.
Gary Johnson ................................ 112
Gaz suffers a set back in his preparation for the Macau GP.
4 DECEMBER 2018 WWW.FASTBIKESMAG.COM
Christian Iddon ............................. 113
Iddon sums up his 2018 season and talks of confectionary packaging-based superstition.
Steve Parrish................................. 114 Parrish’s take on all things bike-racing.
SUB
What we get up to when we’re not putting together the best mag in the world.
B I E R C S 8 age p e l Se etai s d for
WELCOME
Up in smoke T
hey say smoking’s bad for you, but surely two-stroke fumes don’t count, right? I spent a day relishing the stuff at Suzuki’s recent Classic Trackday, buried in a cast of bikes so exotic they made the Bahamas look bland. From GP bikes to Chris Walker’s factory WSB GSX-R, the collection was unreal, but the pick of the litter had to be Kenny Roberts Junior’s RGV500R; the V4 jobby he won his first 500 Grand Prix on way back in ’99. It looked a treat, and it cost a small fortune, but for some reason its generous owner thought it a good idea to let me out on it for a thrash around Cadwell’s tantalising curves. In the thousands of laps I’ve done around that place, none have ever felt so special. How come? Skip a few pages and you’ll soon get the gist. But don’t skip too fast or you’ll miss out on our epic naked shootout. Tackling roads, track, top speed runs and wheelieability (I’m sure that’s a real word), we left no stone unturned in our search for the biggest, baddest (there we go again) and bestest (one more for luck), naked on the planet. Well, on the European side of the map. It was something of an eye-opener, especially when I nearly wheelied straight into Boothy… but we don’t need to talk about that. We even brought along a chap called Rob who’d only ever owned sportsbikes. He too had his eyes opened, and you can read what he made of them in this very issue. Let’s just say he wasn’t disappointed. In other news, we’ve got all sensible this month. No, really! With the onset of the bleaker, colder and generally much wetter months, we thought a guide to mastering moisture was in order. There’s loads of advice to indulge in, plus reviews of essential kit we’ve been using to tackle the elements. Our other ‘must read’ piece of guidance comes from the tightest bloke we’ve ever known, the esteemed miser Mr Alan Dowds. If you’re looking to buy a bike, new or used, make sure to indulge in his penny-pinching tactics – you could save yourself a fortune. With all this, plus our guide to buying a used GSX-R750 and what it’s like to own and live with a ZX-10R, we’re hoping you’re going to find yourself with plenty of great reading material to tackle the onset of winter. Enjoy.
68
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BOSS MAN
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NE W S & RE VIE W S PL ANET FAST BIKES – NE W ME TA L,
THE ZX-6R IS BACK
Who said the Supersport class was dead? Well whoever did, Kawasaki weren’t listening as 2019 brings the echo of another screaming 600… or 636 as the case may be. The 2019 middleweight Ninja will come with the same 636cc engine we’ve seen on the previous model, but will have shorter gearing and a revised final ratio for a stronger, better low end drive. It will come equipped with an ‘Assist & Slipper Clutch’ as standard alongside being Euro 4 compliant, without losing any of the power against the 2013-onwards models. Electronically, the ZX-6R will also come armed with a choice of two power modes, a three mode adjustable traction control system, Kawasaki Quick shifter (but no blipper) and Kawasaki’s Intelligent ABS as standard. Alongside this there’s now a higher-grade dash that is similar to what you’d find on the Ninja 650, which now includes a fuel gauge and a remaining range function. As far as the chassis goes, Kawasaki have housed the 636cc engine in the same pressed-aluminium frame as before, with a set of fully adjustable Showa Separate Function Big Piston Forks for good measure. The shock is the
10 DECEMBER 2018 WWW.FASTBIKESMAG.COM
same as the previous model with a slightly longer spring and softer spring rate for a plusher, softer feeling on the roads. Alongside the Monobloc calipers, the ZX-6R will come equipped with Bridgestone’s new Battlax Hypersport S22 tyres. The aesthetics and ergonomics have also been altered a fair bit in order to make the ZX-6R
‘distinctive’, which means alongside the bold fairings, there are now twin LED headlamps, a bigger screen and a supposedly comfier seat, while a 12V power socket has been installed as well. There’s no word on price and availability as of yet, but expect it to be in the region of £11,000.
UPFRONT
DUCATI DIAVEL 1260
If you are a fan of having your arms pulled from their sockets you should be gagging to find out more about the second generation Diavel, which boasts a whopping 129Nm of torque. Oh, and 156bhp for good measure. Those figures come courtesy of a new 1262cc Testastretta engine, featuring variable valve timing. It’s a pretty smart package, as it means the inlet and exhaust cams are constantly altered to maximise performance throughout the engine’s rev range. Not that you’ll have time to think about how it works while you’re being catapulted up to pace like a rocket into space… or something like that. The point is that we have high hopes for this new muscle maestro. We loved the inaugural offering for its brutish brilliance, and that bar’s just been raised, and made a whole lot more agile thanks to a box fresh tubular steel trellis frame. As with most models, there are a couple of versions for the taking, including the standard and a higher spec ‘S’ – which packs a blipper, shifter and posh Öhlins pogos. There’s also everything from launch control to cornering ABS to write home about, but we’re short on space. The gist is, the best has just got better, and we’re eager to take one for a spin. You should be too.
ALL NEW DUCATI HYPERMOTARD 950 The fabulously fun Hypermotard 950 and 950 SP are both getting a full overhaul and you are going to love what the Italians have done with their little lunatic of a bike. The ergonomics have been completely reworked in an attempt to maximise the bike’s fun, with new wider handlebars for greater control and leverage when cornering, a new saddle to help the vertically challenged touch the floor, and narrower sides to facilitate easier knee tuckage. And as well as looking smaller and more compact than the outgoing model, the new 950 is also 4kg lighter (now 200kg wet), 1.5kg of which comes from weight savings in the engine alone. The massive weight saving is achieved by a whole host of new design features including a new frame which uses which uses tubes of different diameter, new wheels, discs and lightweight aluminium Marzocchi forks. The new 1.5kg lighter 973cc Testastretta engine now has 114bhp and 96Nm with a full electronics package to help keep things under control which utilises a Bosch six-axis Inertial Measurement Unit to detects roll, yaw and pitch instantly. And if you want something really trick, the SP version comes in the Corse colour scheme and full Ohlins suspenders with 15mm more travel at the front and 25mm more travel at the back which allows an extra 3° of lean angle, as well as an up and down shifter. They haven’t told us how much they are charging for all this extra tech but our guess is that for the SP you will be looking at the thick end of £14k.
MIDDLEWEIGHT HONDAS GET HEAVYWEIGHT UPDATES More middleweight Hondas? It might not be a CBR600RR, but it’s certainly getting closer. Honda haven’t held back, giving the 650 engine 5% more power above 10,000rpm with a 1,000rpm higher redline. It’s not all just up at the top end though, as it has also had power delivery smoothed and boosted, while a new intake and exhaust design is said to enhance the engine note. The new CBR650R comes equipped as standard with Honda’s Selectable Torque Control system and an assist/slipper clutch, while a lighter frame (among other bits) boasts a 6kg weight saving from the ‘F’ which it replaces. They’ve also gifted the CBR650R with 51mm Showa Separate Function forks, radial-mount brake callipers with floating discs and full LED lighting. Honda have also released a Neo Sports Café styled version of the 650 – the CB650R utilising the same engine and chassis without the edgy racing aesthetics. And if you’re on the lookout for a new A2 machine Honda’s updated 500s might be just the ticket. Although peak power remains unchanged (to keep within the A2 power restrictions), they now make 4% more power and torque between 3000rpm and 7000rpm, thanks to revisions in the inlet, valve timing and exhaust. The engine will also feature an assist/slipper clutch as standard. There’s a new adjustable (for preload) shock absorber and both models will feature new LCD clocks and LED lights. The 500F’s aggressive naked look emphasises the engine, and it comes with new tapered handlebars. The R has an updated look with a more aggressive stance, and now has a sportier cockpit; a redesigned top yoke houses the clip-ons underneath rather than above moving the riding position 8° forward, while the fairing set is also set slightly lower. The Hondas will be available in a range of colours, although the price is yet to be announced.
DECEMBER 2018 WWW.FASTBIKESMAG.COM 11
NEW S & REV IEW S PLA NET FAST BIKES – NEW METAL,
MV AGUSTA CELEBRATES ITS SAVIOUR WITH LIMITED EDITION F4 1000
WOW. Just look at it. This is a limited edition, celebratory version of the legendary MV Agusta F4, named for the firm’s saviour, Claudio Castiglioni. Claudio died in 2011, after a lifetime in the Italian bike business, running Cagiva, Ducati, Husqvarna and, famously, MV Agusta. The Castigioni name is inextricably linked with the marque, after Claudio brought the Ducati 916 designer, Massimo Tamburini, in to design the MV Agusta F4 750. That superbike, launched in 1998, revived the firm’s fortunes, and with Claudio’s son, Giovanni, now running the company, that link is stronger than ever. This will be final edition of the F4’s current incarnation – emissions rules mean the firm needs to give its full-bore superbike a proper makeover, and there’ll be an all-new bike coming soon from the Agusta factory at Varese near Milan. Based on the RC version of the F4 1000 superbike, the F4 Claudio really is a work of art. It’s dripping in proper carbon fibre, with a beautiful black and gold colour scheme and the very best in chassis jewellery. It’s powered by a 212bhp 1,000cc inline-four motor, so it should go like utter stink. That engine has been upgraded, with titanium conrods and a lightened, balanced crankshaft, plus hand-ported cylinder head, diamond-like-coated valve train, and special low-friction pistons and rings. It puts out a claimed 212bhp @ 13,450rpm with the supplied SC Projects titanium race pipe, and even makes 205bhp in road trim – still pretty
UPFRONT
solid power, especially considering how light it is (175kg dry mass with the SC Projects exhaust). Much of the weight loss is done the expensive way too – with lashings of titanium fasteners all over the place. Wheels are BST carbon fibre, wearing Supercorsa rubber, and the suspension is full-on Öhlins kit – NIX30 forks and TTX36 shock. The Claudio also comes with the very latest Brembo Stylema calipers, which have been exclusive to Ducati’s Panigale V4 until now. The bodywork is all carbon fibre, with Claudio Castiglioni’s signature picked out in silver, and with goldplated copper trims on the panels. The F4 Claudio has a bumper electronics package too, with full track-spec traction control, ABS and power modes. It also comes with an AIM dash (woo!) and sweet WSB-type set of buttons, allowing quick and easy access to adjust the modes, pitlane limiter, and all that other good stuff that you would expect to see on a special motorcycle like this. There’s only one downside that we can see – the Claudio is so gorgeous that the majority of these weapons will end up whiling away their time reposing under dust sheets in collectors’ climate-controlled garages. Booooo! It’s also limited to just 200 units, so you’re unlikely to see many schlepping round the North Circular. If you do pick one up though, we’ll be happy to come round and make sure it goes properly for you…
YAMAHA TAKE THE R3 TO THE NEXT LEVEL Yamaha have shown of their new Supersport 300 contender, which has finally been updated for 2019. Although the 321cc parallel twin engine, chassis, swingarm and wheels all remain the same, Yamaha have gifted the new R3 with a set of 37mm Kayaba inverted forks and a new triple clamp, although the shock remains the same. The aesthetics have been altered quite substantially and in turn so have the
aerodynamics; the new fairings are claimed to reduce drag by 7% while the slightly altered tank and 22mm lower bars allow for the rider to tuck in better, meaning the claimed top speed is up 5mph on the previous model. There’s also a new set of LCD clocks to replace the analogue display. Price and availability is yet to be announced but expect the R3 to be available in the early months of next year at about £5,400.
NEW S & REV IEW S PLA NET FAST BIKES – NEW METAL,
BMW S 1000 RR FASTER, LIGHTER, SMARTER! W
hat started as a whisper has finally come to fruition, and not a day too soon. We all knew BMW was set to surprise us with a revolutionary RR, but exactly what the package would consist of has had us guessing harder than a game of Cluedo. But the results are in and we’re very much in favour of the package that’s set to take 2019 by storm. The power’s up, the weight’s down and the sophistication of the Beemer is set to be the envy of the sector. Are we excited about this third generation Bahnstormer? You better believe it. Here’s a breakdown of what we know so far…
stroke at 9,000rpm to optimise performance capabilities. It’s all very clever stuff, offering more clout throughout the entire rev range. Better still, for the bean counters out there, it also makes the motor 4% better on fuel consumption. Every inch of this motor is cutting edge, such as the hollowbored valves that save precious grams from the mix and allow the motor’s revs to be upped from 14,200rpm to a new ceiling of
Packing a punch
Its engine’s a wholly new design, weighing some 4kg less than its predecessor and armed with an extra 8bhp (204bhp). The torque’s also up, with a claimed 113Nm ready to be exploited. Figures aside, the biggest change to the slimmed down inline-four motor (12mm narrower) is the utilisation of a fancy variable valve timing system, dubbed ShiftCam. Working in tandem with the newly designed cylinder head’s intake and exhaust ports, the ShiftCam system alters the valve timing and valve intake 14 DECEMBER 2018 WWW.FASTBIKESMAG.COM
14,600rpm. These are just a few of the innovations to mention, but the gist is BMW’s gone to town on this motor, leaving no rocks unturned in its implacable pursuit of pony punching perfection.
Handling
Power’s nothing without control which is why the smart folk at BMW have paid a whole lot of attention to the handling prowess of their flagship sportsbike. The centrepiece
of the RR is an all-new aluminium bridge frame, sporting radically different geometry (the steering head angle is 0.4° steeper and the castor reduced to 93.9mm). Some 1.3kg has been shaved from the unit, which puts more dependence on the motor as a load bearing unit. By carefully calculating the engine’s positioning and distribution of weight, BMW claim to have optimised the stiffness and flexibility of the chassis. The funky
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