Fast Bikes Magazine September FREE 20 PAGE FREE PREVIEW

30

Topre-orderyournextissueof FastBikes, head to classicmagazines.co.uk/pre-order-

THEKNOWLEDGE

UsedBikeGuide..............................54 It’seasytoforgethowlongAprilia’sbeen makingthefantasticRSV4.The2012version wasonlyaroundforasingleyear,butitwas acorker.Here’swhatyouneedtoknow aboutit.

TESTS

Sportsbikevs.supernaked.............18 Towearclothesornot?WepitchDucati’s PanigaleV4Sagainstitsnakedsibling StreetfighterV4Stofindout.

BabyBlades....................................30 CheckingoutHonda’sentry-levelCBRs–the 650Rand500R.

COLUMNISTS

TomNeave......................................94 OurHondamantalksBSBandhowthings aregoing.

ChristianIddon...............................96 Iddon’sbeenturninghisfortunesaround,but there’sstillmoretocome.

SteveParrish...................................98 PrepareyourselfformoretalesfromParrish.

FEATURES

DucatiDRE........................................2 Astar-studdedline-upofGPridersmadeitto SilverstonetomeetBruceatDucati’s inauguralDRERacetrackAcademy. Whatthetech:Airboxes.................60 Youmightnothavethoughthatmuchabout yourbike’sairboxbefore,butyouprobably willafterreadingthis.

ShedfindtoSuperbike:Part3........... Beforepetrolgetsoutlawed,Bruceintends tofinishhisZX-7Rprojectbike.Sohereitis, alongwithallthetwistsandturnshe’sbeen experiencing.

Longtermers....................................78 Betterlatethannever,AndyandJohnnyare bringingtheirfreshmetaltothesection. SayhellotoBMW’sS1000RRand KawasakiZH2.

Alternatively,scantheQRcodeonthis pageandorderyournextcopytoday. Wewillsenditdirectlytoyou! 68 78

BUYGEAR FASTBIKESMAG.COM

Out and about

And just like that, it’s summertime That time of the year when the flowers bloom, the pub gardens brim, and there are bikers aplenty going here, there and generally any which way, taking them away from the household chores they’re meant to be tackling At least, that’s the technique I’ve adopted... and I’ve been lapping up every mile clocked under the sunny skies we’ve had of late I’ve also enjoyed bumping into old friends and nattering with new ones, brought together by the common theme of two wheels

The older you get, the harder it becomes to make friends, but bikes seem to break down the walls like nothing else I went to Boston Bike Night a few weeks ago and was amazed by how many people were out, on all different kinds of bikes, getting stuck in and mingling. What was interesting was to see so many sportsbikes in the mix, both new and old… just like their riders I wish I could have stayed longer and chatted more to those I bumped into, hearing about their bikes, their experiences and their plans for the year ahead. That latter point really hit home, because a few of the things mentioned made me take note, questioning my own plans this season and how I could maybe squeeze in a trip, test or trackday to rival the stuff being mentioned

What I know of life is that the year goes by too quickly, the summer’s over in a flash, and unless you make the most of it, you really do miss out. I say this having ticked a big box in the last few days, having headed over to Berlin for BMW’s Motorrad Days (which used to be in the Alps), seeing a wholly different event to what I’ve known before, cruising around the city on a box-fresh M 1000 RR. It was great, but it also got me craving a bit more substance in the bike-riding department. It’s a conversation Johnny, Tim and I have been sharing of late, and we’ve come up with some epic plans to a few bucket list destinations With a bit of luck and a lot of planning, we should find ourselves on some great adventures over the next few months and I hope you do too And if you do, keep us in the loop We are always keen to hear what you’re up to, and also for your suggestion for what you’d like us to test and where to test it. Drop us a line anytime But for now, I’ll leave you to this issue

Enjoy the mag,

>>

>>

>>

TERMS&CONDITIONS:RatesarebasedonUKordersonly–foroverseaspleasevisitwww.classicmagazines.co.uk/fb-overseas.Subscriptionswillstartwiththenext availableissue.O ffercloses04/09/23.Directdebitpaymentswillcontinueatthepriceyoupaid,onthisoffer,every12monthsthereafterunlessyoutellusotherwise. Fulltermsandconditionscanbefoundatwww.classicmagazines.co.uk/terms.Quotedsavingsarebasedona12-issuedirectdebitsubscriptionwhencomparedto thecostof12full-priceprintedissues.

AMERICAN BEAUTY

MVAgustaDragster RRSCSAmerica

MVAgustaissetforabitofarenaissance,it seems.ThePiererMobilitycompany,which ownsKTM,HusqvarnaandGasGas,invested achunkofcashintotheItalianexotica makerearlierthisyearandhasalready announcedanexpansionattheVarese factory.Nextstageistostrengthenthe firm’sretailoperations,includinginbig marketsliketheUK,Europe–andtheUnited States.Whichbringsustothis:thenew DragsterRRSCSAmerica.It’sactuallythe latestinalonglineofstarsn’stripes-based specialeditions,datingbackto1973andthe inline-fourcylinder750SAmericasuperbike. Eventhen,thewealthyUSmarketwasvital foraluxurybrandlikeMV,andsoonafterit relaunchedinthelate1990s,another Americaspecialappeared,intheformofthe Brutale750America.Sincethen,there’s

beenmore:Brutale1090and800,anda Dragster800,allcladinred-white-blue bodyworkandladenwithtrickbolt-ons.

ThisDragster800RRSCSisthelatest Americaspecial.Limitedtojust200bikes,it featuresaRUSH-stylecarbonfibrerear wheelcover,transparentclutchcover, specialpaintworkandlimitededition plaquesandlogos.There’salsoanAkrapovic titaniumracesystemwithdedicatedECU, cover,andcertificateofauthenticity.

Therestofthebikeislargelystandard Dragster800RR,whichmeansa140bhp 798cctriple,withtheSCSautomatic centrifugalclutchtransmissionbyRekluse, 175kgdrymass,Marzocchiforks,Brembo brakes,quickshifterandcolourLCDdash.No priceasyet,butit’savailabletoorderfrom MVAgustadealersnow.

ALPINESTARSRELEASESSUPERTECHR10RACEHELMET

Weareoldenoughtorememberwhen Alpinestarsonlyreallymadeboots.Andit wasaprettyspecialtimewhentheAsolo firmlauncheditsfirstleathersuitaftersome collaborationswithJapanesefirmRSTaichiin thelate1990s.

Thisfeelslikeanotherbigleapforward andwe’vebeenwaitingforitforawhilenow. Alpinestars’firstroad/trackhelmethasbeen indevelopmentforwhatfeelslikeyears, occasionallyspottedontheheadofMotoGP racerslikeJakeMillerandJorgeMartin.But there’sfinallyahelmetonsale,albeitasthe super-limitedLaunchEditionofjust200units. It’sagorgeous-lookingbitofkit,featuringa multi-layer3Kcarbonfibreoutershellwith 11ventingports,multi-densityEPSliner, quick-changevisorwithametallocking mechanism,andanewA-Headfitment

systemthatallowsfine-tuningoftheheight andanglethelidsitsonyourheadattosuit yourridingpositiononthebike.

Aerodynamicsareabigpartofthedesign, asexpectedfromaMotoGPdevelopment. Thelidcomeswithtworearspoilers,ashort roadandlongertrackpart,whichareeasily swapped,aswellasapairofsidewingletsto improvestabilityanddrag.Therearealso some‘turbulator’partsonthevisortocut noise,andAlpinestarsclaimsthenewhelmet haslowlevelsofwindnoise.

There’snoofficialwordyetonpriceor availabilityofastandardmass-market versionofthenewSupertechR10lid,butwe expecttoseeitonwidersalenextyear, pricedatsimilarlevelstopremiumlidsfrom Arai/AGV/Shark/Shoei.

Moreinfo: www.alpinestars.com

TRIUMPH’SSINGLESERVING

We’realwayspleasedtoseenew bikesfromHinckley–soitwas goodtoheadtotheBikeShedin Londonlastmonthtocheckout thenewSpeed400andScrambler X400.Okay,they’renotthe full-beanssuperbikewereally wantfromTriumph–rather,they aretheentry-levelbikesthatthe firmhasbeenmissingfordecades now.

Bothbikesshareanew398cc single-cylindershort-strokeengine, andit’sactuallyquiteanadvanced littlelump.It’swater-cooledfora start,andhasbothdohcandfour valves,plusbalancershaft,slip/ assistclutchandsix-speed gearbox.FuellingisbyBosch ride-by-wireinjection,anditputs

outadecent40bhp.It’sa good-lookingpowerplanttoo,with thesamesatinblackpowder coatedfinishandstainless fastenersasTriumph’sbigger bikes.

Thechassisbasicsarealsothe sameonbothbikes,withasteel tubeperimeter/spineframe, aluminiummonoshockrear swingarmandUSDforks.The ScramblerXhasalonger wheelbaseanddifferentgeometry though,aswellasa19-inchfront wheelratherthanthe17-inchrim ontheSpeed400.

There’saByBrefour-piston radialcaliperupfrontoneachbike, witha300mmdiscontheSpeed anda320mmdisconthe

Scrambler,plusdualchannelABS, whichisswitchableonthe Scrambler.

Theelectronicsalsostretchtoa switchabletractioncontrolset-up, key-chipimmobiliser,LEDlights, LCDdashdisplayandaUSBC chargingsocket.

Triumphwaskeentounderline thequality,fitandfinishonthe newentry-levelbikes,andtheydo lookgoodintheflesh;thestainless headerpipeandsilencers,gold forkstanchions,deeppaintand castaluminiumwheelsalllooklike theycouldcomefromabigger, priciermachine.

TheBritishfirmisalsoreleasing awiderangeofaccessories,from luggagetosecuritytostylingparts.

Bothbikesarebeingproduced inpartnershipwithBajaj,the massiveIndianbikebuilder,though Triumphiskeentostressthatthe enginedesignisallitsownwork, whichwon’tbesharedwithother brands.Productionwillkickoffin Indiathismonth,withtheTriumph plantsinBrazilandThailandjoining inlater.

Andit’sIndiawhichwillgetthe newTriumph400sfirst.UKfansof small-borekitwillhavetowait untiltheendof2023,when distributionwillhitthiscountry,as wellasEuropeandtherestofthe globe.

AKRAPOVICRELEASESFULLSYSTEM FORSUZUKIGSX-8S

Slovenianpipe-bender Akrapovichasjust droppedthissaucy device:afullracesystem forthenewSuzuki GSX-8Snakedbike.The systemhasstainless headersandaresonator inthelinkpipe,plusa carbonfibresilencer,and

HARLEYX440

Harley-Davidsonhasalso releasedanentry-level, Indian-builtsingle-cylinder roadster,theX440.It’sa lower-performanceunit thantheTriumph,withan air/oil-cooledtwo-valve

long-strokeengine making27bhpandtwin shockrearsuspension. There’snowordifitwill makeittotheUK,butit couldsnatchsomeRoyal Enfieldsalesifso.

savesahefty3.2kgof masscomparedwith stock.Thenon-road-legal pipealsoaddsachunkof powerandtorque:up

6.4bhpat9200rpmand 4.7Nmmoregruntat 7650rpm.Nomappingis

KAWASAKIANNOUNCESPRICEFORZX-4RRMINI-NINJA

Wecameoverallfunnywhen Kawasakiannouncedearlierthis yearthatitwasbringingthenew inline-fourZX-4RRNinjatotheUK. Thenew400isaproper80bhp sportsbikeratherthanadull

twin-cylindercommuterinsporty kitandhassparkedplentyof interestfromfansofthe mid-1990sJapanesemarket400cc fours.Andwe’vecomeoverall funnyagainthismonth,asthe

firmannouncesapriceand availabilityfortheZX-4RR:itwill cost£8699andbeintheshopsin September.Verydecentcashin 2023,wereckon,andshould makeitevenmoreofahit.

needed(thoughwe’dbe gettingitonadyno anyway).Almostabargain for2023at£1325...form aqueueat www. performance parts-ltd.com

DUCATI AUCTIONS

Didyournumberscomeup bigontheEuroMillionslast week?Didyoubetbigon BorisJohnsonnotfinishing theelectionhewonin2019?

Areyoujustreally,really minted?Thengetyourself overtotheSilverstone Auctionseventat ShuttleworthHouseonJuly 30,whereapairofutterly saucymegabucksDucati classicspecialsareonoffer.

Firstupisoneofthe actualDucati916SPSCarl FogartyReplicasfrom1998 –thiswasthebikebuiltto homologateanewframefor WSBK,thatletthefirmusea biggerairboxtogivemore power.Only202werebuilt, 200forfolktobuy,onefor Fogarty,andnumber001for theDucatiMuseum.Andit’s the001bikewhichisupfor auction,completewithall

DUCATIOIL

Thisyear,Ducaticlaimeditsnew PanigaleV4Rwouldmake240bhp inracetrim.Partofthatwasdown tothemegabucksraceexhaust–butforthefullstableofponies, youneededtouseaspecial low-frictionShelloiltoo.The firm hasnowreleasedtheoilforsale throughdealers,butthere’sa catch.Thesuper-slipperyformula onlyworkswithdryclutchbikes; itwillwrecknormalwetclutches. TheDucatiCorsePerformanceOil poweredbyShellAdvanceisin shopsnow,pricetbc.

thekititcamewith25years ago:paddockstand, paperwork,raceandroad cans,manuals,cover,etc. Estimatedpriceis£70-80k forthebrand-new,unridden bike,whichactuallysounds notbadforagenuine museumpiece.

JoiningtheFoggyrepis oneoftheoriginalSenna replica916sfrom1995.The bikeonsaleisnumber42of 300,andisoneofthefirst bikessoldafterAyrtonSenna diedtoraisefundsforhis charityfoundation.It’salso brand-newandunridden, withallthegoodiesintact, andwillsetyoubackabout £40-50k.

TheauctionisonJuly30 atShuttleworthHouse, Bedfordshire–moreinfoat www.silverstone auctions.com

PIRELLISIGNS MOTO2/3 TYREDEAL

ItaliantyrefirmPirelliisalready thecontrolbrandrubberforWSBK andBSB.Andnowit’ssigneda dealtosupplytheblackround stufftotheMoto2andMoto3 championshipsaswell.Thedeal lastsfrom2024to2026,andwill seethePirelliDiabloSuperbike slicksusedonthefeederclass machines.

DUCATIFACTORYMEMORABILIA

TheDucatifactory shophasstarted sellingfancybitsof oldsuper-trickrace Ducatis.Thenew rangeofmemorabilia includesused

DesmosediciGP16 racepistons, conrods,camshafts, cranksand finger followers.They’re(as you’dexpect)not cheap: €1000fora

camshaft, €800fora conrod, €700fora piston,andthe crankshaftseemsto besoldoutalready.

An1199F18valve rockerarmkeyringis

just €180though–getitonthexmas listnowandheadto: https://shop.ducati. com/it/en/ accessories/ memorabilia.html

BIGCCKICKSOFFGEN3 HAYABUSATURBOPROJECT

Suzuki’sHayabusais25yearsold nextyear,andtheguysatBigCC RacinginWokinghamhavegota 750bhppartyplanned.OwnerSean Millshasstarteddevelopmentona turbokitforthelatestthirdgenerationHayabusa,withtheaim ofkeepingallthestandardbike’s electronicfeaturesbutmorethan triplingthepower–withamassive Garrettturbocharger,water-cooled

chargecooler,piggybackengine managementsystemanda super-stealthinstallthatkeeps almostallofthestockbodywork intact.

Thedevelopmentturboisgood formorethan750bhp,andthe engineinternalsonthisbikehave allbeenreplacedwithhigh-end raceparts:conrods,pistons,clutch. That’sidealforthenormalBigCC

customers–dragracers,landspeedrecordnuttersandwheelie recordloons.Butthekitwillalsobe developedtoallowlowerpower outputswithlessinvolvedengine work,soifyoufancyasweet 250-350bhpinstall,theycandothat too.

We’llbefollowingtheGen3Turbo Busaasitdevelopsthroughthe winter. www.bigccracing.com

ALLTHE L AT ES T, COOL ES T&TRICK ES TPERFORMANC EPRODUCTS

OXFORD STORMLANDSUIT

OxfordProductshasbeengraduallyuppingits premiumkitgameandthisStormlandtextile touringsuitisthelatestexample.Asthename suggests,it’saimedatthemostextreme weather,withafullywaterprooftri-laminated Dry2Dryoutershellandhigh-performance thermalliners,aswellasdual-cuffgaitersleeves andanintegratedneckgaitertogiveperfect weathersealing.It’sgottop-levelcrash protection,too:theoutershellisCEAAcertified forabrasionresistanceandthere’sSuperFabric reinforcementontheshoulderimpactzones, togetherwithLevel2CEarmourinelbowsand shouldersandbackprotectorprovision.There are10ventilationzonesforwhentheweather improves,andit’sevengotaRECCOtransponder thathelpsemergencyservicesfindyoushould yougetvery,verylostindeed.Comesindesert, blackorgreycolourways,withshort,medium andlongtrouserlengthoptionsandsizesS-5XL.

RRP:£399.99(jacket)£299.99(trousers)

www.oxfordproducts.com

GB RACINGCHAINGUARDWITHINTEGRATED BOBBINSFORYAMAHAR7

AneatdesignfromGBRacingforthenewYamahaY7, thiscunning‘sharkfin’chainguardincorporatesasetof paddockstandbobbinsintoitsdesign.There’snoneed todrillormodifythestandardswingarm,andtheguard ismadefromtoughglass-reinforcednyloncomposite. It’salsocompatiblewiththefactoryYamahaGYTR quick-releasewheelsystem,andisavailablewithor withoutthestandbobbinsbuiltin.(www.gbracing.eu)

RRP:£57.60(nobobbins)£80.89(withbobbins)

ALPINESTARS HALOGLOVES

Welikeashortglovethesedays–andtheseAlpinestarsHalo designslookjustthejobfordailyuseoutsidewinter.They’ve gotabitofadventurestyle,butnottoomuch,andthe perforatedconstructionwillkeepyourpinkiescoolintheheat. Theslimlinecufffitseasilyunderjacketsleeves,andthere’sa premiumleatheroutershell,withgoatleatherpanelsand stretchfabricontheback.Addarubberpalmgrip, touchscreenfingerinserts,CE-approvalandtoughknuckle protectorsandyouhaveasolid-lookingproduct.

It’snamedafter AmeliaEarhart,the firstwomantofly soloacrossthe Atlantic,andthis jacketwill hopefullyprotect wearersfroma fateastragicas hers(shediedin aplanecrashinthePacificOcean, probably).TheWeiseEarhartisa classicallystyleddesignwithatailored fitandismadefromproperprotective materials.Theoutershellismadefrom 1.1-1.3mmcowhidewithawaxyouter finish,quilteddetailandtoughYKKzips throughout.CE-approvedarmouranda removablethermallinerroundsoffthe techspec,butit’sthestylethatwins, wereckon.Availableinblackorbright redinsizes8-22–smart.

RRP:£349.99 RRP:£105 www.alpinestars.com

FORCEFIELD TRILOBITEZIP-OFFTROUSERS

Theselookjustthejobfor hotdays:apairofriding combat-stylejeanswith zip-offlowers,soyoucan ridetoworkortoanevent, fullyprotected,thenzipoff thebottomstogiveyou above-the-kneeshortsto cooldown.They’remade fromKevlar/aramid reinforcedmaterial,whichis AAratedforabrasion protection,andalsocome withLevel2CEhipand adjustablekneearmour.They havesixpocketstostash loadsofstuffin,andcomein blackorbeige.

RRP:£149.99

ABUS GRANITEXTREME XPLUS59CHAINLOCK

www.forcefieldbodyarmour.com

Abuslocksaretriedandtested;we’vegotsomewe’vehadin serviceformorethan20yearsandthey’restillassolidasever.This integratedlockandchainhas12mmlinksmadeofsuper-tough Germansteel,anditisSoldSecureGoldapproved.Professional baddieswillgetthroughiteventuallywithananglegrinder,nodoubt, butit’sastoughasyou’llgetinaportable(about4kg)package.

RRP£215https://mobil.abus.com/uk/Consumer/Motorbike

DETLEV LOUISJM-11

Thisretro-styleurbantextilejackethasa classicwater-repellentwaxedcottonouter shellwithsomemodernprotectionand features.There’sdouble-layerpanelsand safetyseamstitchingonimpactareasand removableCE-approvedarmourinelbows andshoulders,plusprovisionforaback protector.Thedesignfeaturesquiltedouter sectionsandadjusters,withatrouser connectingzipandremovablethermalliner. It’salsoavailableasalongercutbeltedstylejacket,too–theJM-4,pricedat£257.

TCX HERO2BOOTS

Whenwestartedoutriding,a pairofoldarmyboots, probablyfromtheSecond WorldWar,wasmorethan acceptablebikingwear...you’d earnmorestylepointsfrom thatthanfromsomeofthe early‘proper’bikebootsinthe 1970sand1980s…Now,TCXis offeringanarmy-styleboot withproperbikeprotection, waterproofingandcomfort.

Everyoneneedsadecentpairoftrainers,andifyoucan pairthemupwithsomebikebranding,wereckonthat’s aperfectscenario.ThesePumasneakersareofficial Husqvarnateamwear,withthesweetblueandyellow HuskycolourwaysandtimelessPumastyle.Essentialfor anyfanofeitherbrand,wesay!

RRP:£215www.louis-moto.co.uk

RUROC ATLAS4.0STREETHELMET

BritishlidfirmRurochasaddedalower-pricedmodeltoitsrange,the newATLAS4.0STREET.IthasafibreglassoutershellwithECE22.06 andDOTapproval,andadouble-Dringstrap.Itispre-fittedforthe firm’sShockwaveintercom,andhasplushinteriorlining.Itechoesthe styleofthepricierTrackandCarbonversions,withsimilar‘edgy’ graphicsandcolourways,andfeaturesthesamequick-releasevisor systemandextensiveventing.

RRP:from£275 www.ruroc.com

There’slacefastening, withaquick-accessside zipandvelcroflap,a gearchangeprotector, T-DRYwaterproof membraneandapadded jointattheheel.Full leatheroutersand reinforcedankle/toe/heel sectionsforprotection, andtheyhaveproper grippytreads.Sizes36-48 inanycolouryoulike–as longasit’sblack.

RRP:£229.99

www.tcxboots.com

RRP:£126.84www.husqvarna-motorcycles.comorlocaldealer

HUSQVARNA XPUMANITRO2SHOES

SPORTSBIKE SUPERNAKED RTS ERN VS.

DWHICH IS FASTER?

It’saquestionthatneedsanswering.WithachunkofhelpfromDucati, PirelliandacertainBSBstar,wepitchedoneofthefinestsportsbikeson themarketagainstitstechnicallysimilarsupernakedsibling.

Let’sbehonest,wealllikeabitof rivalryinourlives.Beitaneggand spoonrace,acage ght,orahitof motorcycleracing–eachandeverydiscipline canleaveushooked,shoutingattheTVand desperatelyanticipatingourfavoured outcome.Throughcompetition,weareable tocategoricallycutthroughthecrap, crowningtherightfulwinnerwiththe adorationandpraisethey’redeservingof.In mybook,andasmyunclealwaysusedtotell me,it’snotaboutthetakingpart…it’sabout thewinning.Admittedly,I’venotknowna greatdealaboutreachingthetopstepofthe podiuminmy36years,butamateofmine has–ChristianIddon.TheBSBstar’sracing accoladesaretoolongtolist,butneedlessto sayhe’satalentontwo-wheels,especially whenitcomestopedallingaPanigalefast aroundaracetrack,whichishowtheidea

cameabouttousehisridingskillsand analyticalexpertisetohelpsettleaquestion we’vebeenponderingforsometimenow: sportsbikeorsupernaked–whichisfaster?

Iknow,it’sanobviousone,right! Sportsbike.It’sgottobe,becausethat’sthe wayit’salwaysbeen.Thethingis,evenjust afewyearsagoI’dbetmyhouseonthat eventuality,buttimesarechangingandthe one-timesidelinesupernakedsofyesterday arefastbecomingthemaincourse.

Motorcyclebrandstheworldoverare experiencinghugeuptakesindemandfor thesesuper-powerful,comfortableand high-techhustlers,totheextentthatthereare nowanumberofmachinesoutthere claimingmorethan200bhp(moreponies thanwhatyoucanexpectfromsomestock sportsbikes)andofferthekindoftech packageyou’d ndonaworldsuperbike

grid.Beingquitefrank,ifwe’dchosen speci cnakedsandcertainsportsbikes,we couldhaveactivelysteeredasupernakedto victoryaroundaracetrack…butwhere’sthe funinthat?Comingbacktomyinaugural point,victorymustbeearned,andwe gured thatthefairestwaytogoaboutcraftingsuch atestwouldbetotakethemostsimilarlysculpturedDNAsiblingsandsetthemona collisioncoursearoundDoningtonPark–the fastestlaptimewins.

Thosemachinesinquestionarethetwo youseebeforeyou.Theyareaesthetically different,I’llgrantyouthat,butwhenyougo scratchingtheirtechnologicalsurfaces,you sooncometorealisethattheyaremuchmore alikethanyoureyeswouldeverhaveyou believe.Theybothmakemorethan200bhp. Theybothweighlessthan200kg.Theyboth featureÖhlinssemi-activesuspension,

backedupbythesameplethoraofclassleadingDucatirideraids.Yougetthepoint:a betterduoforthistestcouldnotbefound, andsomewouldarguethesameaboutme andIddon,puttingthemthroughtheir paces…I’mjustnotsurewho?

Backtotheplot,andtheideawasthat we’dtakeownershipofabikeapieceforhalf adayeach,clockingthree20-minutesessions intheprocessandadaptingtheDucatisas muchoraslittleaswasneededtoconquer thechrono.Andtomakethingssupercompetitive(andtotackleDonington’s newly-laidsuper-abrasivesurface),weleaned onourgoodfriendsatPirellitokitthebikes outwithfreshendurance-specDiablo SuperbikeSC3slicks,bothbeforeandafter lunch.Thescenewasset,thebikeswere warmedup,andIddonwassoonaspeckon thehorizon.Here’shistakeonthem…

THESUPERNAKED... DUCATISTREETFIGHTERV4S