Indholdsfortegnelse for April 2024 i Fast Bikes

FEATURE SUZUKI GSX-8R “THIS THING WOULD PUNCH IMPRESSIVELY OUT OF THE TRACK'S SUCCESSION OF SECOND TO THIRD GEAR CORNERS.” As the saying goes, you should never judge a book by its cover… or a sportsbike by its top yoke mounted bars, questionably long wheelbase, or significantly chunky 205 kilos. I say this having fallen foul of assuming Suzuki's new GSX-8R would be a bit of a flop, compromised by features like the above, plus a few other bits, such as the low footpeg position it inherited from the GSX-8S that forms much of the foundation of this protagonist. While the ‘S’ makes as much sense as a pint down the pub, the idea of somehow magicking its naked platform into a pukka sportsbike seemed a stretch beyond my imagination – or,…

SHOEI X-SPR PRO TESTED BY: Bruce TIME: Ten months PRICE: From £699.00 WEB: www.shoeiassured.co.uk I'll cut to it… when it comes to my kit, I don't mess around – especially when it comes to helmets. In my younger years I'd have worn a saucepan on my head, but getting older, gaining responsibilities, and realising that shit happens has focused my mind on wearing only the best kit on the market. Now, I'm not here to say that one brand of helmet is better than another, but what I am assured of is that Shoei is one of the best helmet manufacturers in existence – and that I have full faith in its products, principles and technologies. For the past seven years, both on road and off, Shoei has been my staple choice of…

We're probably showing our age here (as usual), but single-sided swingarms are cool, right? Along with underseat exhausts and six-piston brake calipers? Okay, they're kinda pointless unless you're going endurance racing and want those sweet, fast wheel changes. And they're heavier than a standard arm. But that aside, the slick mono-arm has graced some of the classically awesome sports bikes over the years: Honda's VFR750R RC30 and VFR400 NC30, and the later RVF versions, not to mention the NSR250 strokers and NR750, Ducati's 916 and the MV Agusta F4. And if you want one nowadays on a new bike, you're stuck with the choice of a Ducati or an Agusta – or a Triumph Speed Triple (we are ignoring the fact that BMW's shaft-drive Boxers are technically single-siders, of course).…

FEATURE KTM 1390 SUPER DUKE Regular viewers of our Naked Sportsbike of the Year videos will know that the outgoing 1290 Super Duke is one of our favourite bikes, and for good reason. For all it's available performance and technical features, the Super Duke absolutely nails the one thing any motorbike must deliver on above all else – fun. In the company of bikes with more power, greater tech features and, in some cases, smaller price tags, the 1290 Super Duke R has been able to rise to the top of the pile every time by pulling off one of motorcycling's hardest tricks – to be a riot to ride and all kinds of naughty, but not at all intimidating or difficult to get along with. On paper, the 1290’s engine,…

Used Bike Guide 2007-2011 DUCATI 1098/1198 AND 1098S/1198S When it comes to Ducati sportsbikes, there are certain boxes that absolutely must be ticked for them to be classed as true Bologna-built thoroughbreds. One or two of these boxes may be controversial, especially in light of modern trends, but if you are a Ducati purist this is how the checklist to superbike perfection goes… Box one is simple: a Ducati sportsbike has to look beautiful. Box two is equally uncomplicated: a Ducati sportsbike has to sound amazing. Box three is a bit more open to debate: a proper Ducati sportsbike has to be a V-twin. Box four is unquestionable: a Ducati sportsbike has to have won a WSB title. And finally there is box five: a Ducati sportsbike has to handle fantastically.…

FEATURE THE FRAME GAME Amotorbike chassis is just some metal that's been formed and welded to hold everything the motorbike needs in place, like the engine, suspension, fuel tank and rider, to name just a few things, right? Well, sort of, except that its design, the material used, and how it is constructed is critical to how a motorbike feels and gives confidence to the rider. Get the sums wrong on a bike chassis and it doesn't matter how posh the suspension or tyres are, or good the rider is, the bike will be a hound. Just ask Honda how its MotoGP season went in 2023. Walk into pretty much any motorcycle showroom and you'll see bikes with frames that have different approaches to the same goal. Steel tubes are the…

FEATURE DUCATI DESERTX RALLY It's not every day I wipe blood from my lips, dirt from my eyes, and arch my back in agony. Then again, it's not every day I return from hitting the desert on a 211 kilo, 110bhp pukka adventure bike, having had two days of utter off-roading extravagance. When the invite for Ducati's DesertX Rally landed in my inbox, I was expecting good things but couldn't have imagined the dirt-fuelled delights I'd indulge in crossing the Atlas Mountains and camping out among the camels and fellow stinking journos with nothing more than rocks, sandstorms, and the occasional barking dog for company. It was a launch fit for the most audacious of adventure bikes, which was how Ducati pitched its pimped-up DesertX to us in a hotel lobby…

FEATURE It turns out there are only so many times you can ignore the chequered flag before you're faced with an angry marshal and a barrage of swear words so profound they needed no translation from Spanish to English. Maybe that second lap was taking the piss a little, but if ever there was a time to roll the dice and keep the throttle wide open, this was it: the final session of six on the lofty seat of Ducati's much-hyped motard. As days at work go, this was going to take some beating. Of course, that was always likely to be the case. Like so many others, my face lit up like a kid's at Christmas when Ducati pulled the covers off this very unexpected yet welcome protagonist. Where…

MASTERCLASS Legal The Fast Bikes Legal Clinic is compiled by Gavin Grewal, and his bikeriding barristers and solicitors at White Dalton Motorcycle Solicitors. They deal with personal injury claims and their sister company, Motor Defence Team, deal with any motoring offences. All the White Dalton lawyers are qualified barristers, or solicitors, or both – and they all ride motorcycles. They don't act for insurance companies or car drivers. They are Britain's most specialist law practice and if they don't know the answer to your question, there probably isn't one. Don't rely on the advice from your insurance appointed solicitor – get proper independent advice. If you've been a naughty biker, you need some decent legal advice. Get it from mail@whitedalton.co.uk Q A friend's bike has been stolen and his insurer is…

YOUR LIFE ON BIKES IN ASSOCIATION WITH NO LIMITS TRACKDAYS FastBikesMag.com/FastBikes-Forum Facebook.com FastBikesMagazine @FastBikesMag WANT TO WIN? To be in with a chance of winning a No Limits trackday, either send us a pic on our Facebook page or email one to letters@fastbikes.co.uk Closing date: March 17 WINNER Here at Fast Bikes magazine, we love trackdays. So much so, we wanted to give something back to you, the reader! We've teamed up with the lovely lot over at No Limits Trackdays to offer a free trackday every month! All you have to do is send us a picture of yourself at your last trackday for a chance to win. If you're the lucky person highlighted on these pages, you've won a trackday of your choice! If it's you, get in touch with…