Indholdsfortegnelse for March 2021 i Fast Bikes

It’s been a busy month for the Italian factory,as their latest release comes in the form of some little tweaks to their Tuono V4, which is set to make it a better road bike than ever before. This is because it has the new tank and seat unit from the 2021 RSV4 for added room and improved ergonomics,alongside raised handlebars and a bigger screen for even more comfort. It gets the same updated electronics as its faired brother, the same new swingarm and even its own new facelift as well, also giving it built-in winglets. Unlike the RSV4, the Tuono will use the same 1077cc engine as before, delivering 175hp and 121Nm of torque,and if you opt for the Factory option, it will also include Öhlins Smart EC 2.0 semi-active…

Temptation can be a terrible thing, and carrots don’t come much bigger or juicer than these heaven-sent homologation specials. As to which was the most worthy of the £60k-plus required to park one in your front bedroom (bikes like these don’t deserve to be left out in the cold), that really is a very big question to answer so my advice would be to load up enough credit cards to purchase them both. In truth, each of these machines represents special moments in time, both coming at significant milestones from differing manufacturers. The Desmo resonates the passion of Ducati’s first attempt at four-stroke MotoGP racing and signs off that inaugural V4 configuration in timeless fashion. From the way it looks to the way it sounds, it’ll make you weak at…

In this day and age most track-focused bikes have a few interesting modifications, which from our point of view (as rubber-burning journos) can sometimes require a bit of fluffing up to ensure it captures the attention of the avid reader. Mark Beeze’s Suzuki K4 GSXR600 however needs no such fluffing. In fact, to ensure that we don’t need to hire world’s strongest man competitors to individually post this month’s mag to your doors due to the additional paper required to print such information, I’m going to get straight into the weapon that this bike is, and save the planet some paper! Let’s start off with a short history lesson on the bike. The project started off when Mark bought the bike from a chap called Lee Foxhall in Birmingham (next…

V-TWINS VS. V-FOURS Was Ducati right to pie-off V-twins and go to V-fours? We slogged it out on a 1299 and V4 Foggy to find the answer. SMALL WHEELS, BIG KICKS Dangerous won the golden ticket to scrap it out among 90 teams in the most bonkers 125 racing you’ve ever come across. PRIMING YOUR POGOS In a world where electronic suspension is becoming more common, is an automated set-up better than what you can achieve manually? PLUS LOADS MORE: MILLE PROJECT... IT’S BACK! KING OF CONFIGURATIONS TRACK SPEC On sale March 2, 2021 Buy it from WHSmith, Sainsbury’s, Tesco, Asda, Morrisons and all good newsagents. Failing that, try a bad one. Check out the eye-poppingly good digital edition at www.classicmagazines.co.uk…

This is my third year in Stock 1000, and the year I need to make it count. I’m feeling strong, I’m fired up for it andI know, for the first time on a thou, I’m hitting the ground running. The big news, and the reason I’m confident, is that I’ve signed again for Hawk Suzuki, so I’ll be sticking with my trusty GSX-R. I guess I’ve got that good at making the team cups of tea that they didn’t want to let me go. In truth, I’m absolutely buzzing, because it’s a dream opportunity. A lot of racers switch teams and bikes like they’re going out of fashion, but for me, consistency makes all the difference; quite often, knowing how to get the best out of your bike and that…

Well, there has been absolutely naff all occurring lately. Boris and his clan are still adamant the best course of action is to carry on locking us all up and despite the fact I worship the gods of speed, MX tracks have not yet been opened under the ‘place of worship’ exemption. This has meant that the entire festive period, including my birthday, all passed by like a silent fart. You know it happened because something is lingering in the air but it certainly wasn’t met with a fanfare of noise, although I have got younger. I decided I’d better start on the ‘racing age’ game and therefore I knocked a year off. I figure if I get a year younger this year and then another year younger next year…

We’ve always been big fans of Triumph’s Speed Triple since it came on the scene all the way back in 1994. And for 2021, it’s brand new – oh, and it’s lighter, more powerful and more aggressive than ever… When Triumph updated their Speed Triple back in ‘18, they really did craft a lovely machine that was easy to ride and confidence inspiring; in a world where it was mainly insanely powered hypernakeds populating the litre bike naked scene, it came in with just 150 horsepower, a softer stance, and well, a bit of a gentle personality. But then again, it lacked that savage edge that comes with strapping straight ‘bars on an insane engine and chassis combo, which meant it didn’t quite have that zest of some of its…

It’s not all big-capacity brutes from Aprilia though,as they’ve also dropped their new Tuono 660 for what will be the sister to the RS 660,and Aprilia’s new middleweight naked. Much like the relationship between their range-topping RSV4 and Tuono V4 ranges,the Tuono 660 shares a shedload of its DNA (and parts) with the RS 660, running the same 95-horsepower engine derived from the V4, adjustable Kayaba suspension and full APRC electronics. It weighs in at 183kg, and it looks set to be a real laugh……

Be it a size six supermodel or a £60k sportsbike, we’re all drawn to such exotic outlines, but the truth is short of a lottery win, or that rich aunt who you’ve never met leaving you the keys and the bank balance of her Edwardian estate, it’s fair to say most of us will never have the wonga needed to bag either. Yep, life can be cruel, but there’s nothing to stop us from dreaming because every now and again those fantasies come true. I’m not going to tell you the story about the size six model, but I’m happy to share with you a recent experience when a mate just happened to mention he had two curvaceous, Italian numbers gagging for some action. In a tone so nonchalant you’d…

Having warmed up our world back in ‘98, MV’s F4 familia bowed out of production back in 2019 as the impacts of Euro4 legislation proved a bridge too far for this iconic motorcycle’s four-cylinder motor. If MV’s pedigree suggests anything, it’s that the Italian marque doesn’t do half measures, so while the option was there to take the fire-breathing motor down a few pegs, and lose its 200bhp credentials in a trade-off for meeting legislative demands, MV took the hard choice of walking away from the machine that had fuelled its 90s comeback (with the F4 750) at the hands of Claudio Castiglioni. Alternatively, they could have ploughed money into a newer, stronger motor, but the huge costs involved in doing so were probably outweighed by a declining demand in…

Way back in 2002 Ducati surprised the biking world when they showcased their new V4-powered sportsbike; the GP3. It was to hit the MotoGP scene in time for the 2003 season, with Loris Capirossi and Troy Bayliss atop this beautiful and capable bike that powered Loris to a podium in its very first outing, before rounding off the championship in fourth place. Much of the reason for the model’s success was its V4 motor, which was configured in a traditional Ducati-esque 90-degree format. This ‘super twin’ configuration had both benefits and drawbacks – it was naturally perfectly primarily balanced, so could take the high revs necessary to make its claimed 230bhp. But the wide V-angle, while allowing lots of room for an airbox/injectors in between its cylinders, was long compared…

There’s a lot to be said for the hipster lifestyle, and those who lap it up – you know, the ones who like to spend excessive amounts of cash on things like beard oils, vapes and retro-spec clothes. As I’m sure you can tell quite easily from my barnet, dress sense and lack of smoke, I’m definitely not one of them. Mind you, it’s not all bad; after all I’m pretty sure hipsters discovered craft beer which is ace, and I am partial to some posh shapes on my cappuccinos every now and again. Oh, and now, it looks like they’ve inspired the updated Vitpilen 701 from Husqvarna as well. So what is it, and why on earth is it in Fast Bikes magazine? Well ladies and gents, don’t let…

TECH DATA 2004-2008 BMW K1200S Fair play, you have to hand it to BMW because the way the company has transformed its motorcycle department’s image from the ‘pipe and slippers’ rider it was associated with in the late 1990s to right at the cutting edge of technology as it is now is nothing short of remarkable. Okay, there have been a few bumps on the way, most noticeably a Husqvarna-shaped one, but if you had said 20 years ago that BMW would be making the best litre sportsbike and a bonkers full-on supernaked alongside a huge-capacity cruiser and even an electric scooter, you would have been laughed out of Bavaria. And this transformation really started in earnest with the K1200S. Despite a solid reputation for tourers, building a full-on hyperbike…

2020 was certainly a memorable year, if nothing else. Amid all the lockdowns, the disruption to our way of life, the pain, the anguish, the loss and the general pervading feeling of anxiety that went with it, 2020 was a big year for heroes. The heroes of the coronavirus pandemic came in many shapes and sizes: the blue light heroes, the heroic NHS staff and care home workers keeping us and our families safe and healthy. Heroes also in the public eye: centenarian Captain Sir Tom Moore, walking 100 miles in his garden; footballer Marcus Rashford, helping get free food on the table for deprived schoolkids; Joe Wicks beaming his cheeky chirpy PE lessons into the homes of the nation and, of course, who could forget the legend that is…

LEARN FROM THE BEST. For the ultimate one-to-one instruction which includes everything from initial bike checks to video playback and on/off track tuition tailored to suit all abilities from a former WSBK racer, check out Dean Ellison Rider Coaching at www.Ellison42.co.uk AFTERMARKET ELECTRONIC GOODIES PART TWO: Last month we looked at dashes. But as Dean Ellison explains, that’s just the tip of the iceberg… Switchgear There’s some really quality and sensibly priced switchgear available that can be cheaper than buying a new OEM part and these machined handlebar-mounted switches will be much more substantial and resilient to repeated trips to the kitty litter. As I did earlier, I searched online for some OEM switchgear to compare prices and in most cases, it was more expensive to purchase OEM than the CNC-machined…

STAR LETTER WHAT A VIEW Dear FB, here’s one from the good old days: my Fireblade with the Grimselpass and Furkapass, Switzerland, in the background. Here’s hoping for 2021. David Harrold WIN You can win a pair of Weise Apex Gloves by simply writing the Fast Bikes Star Letter. The Weise Apex Gloves are constructed from full-grain leather, with integrated TPU knuckle reinforcement armour and TPHU Scaphoid Protection, while being touchscreen compatible. FB: Now that is one awesome photo! We can’t wait to get back out exploring... hopefully sooner rather than later. AS SEEN ON FACEBOOK Fast Bikes magazine: What’s your dream bike? Noel McCloskey: Britten V 1000 or Wankel Rotary Norton, Suter 500, my head’s gonna bust choosing which one. Matt Collins: Casey Stoner’s #1 plate Honda. David Balcon: Any 500cc…

We’ve been hearing a lot of rumours about an updated RSV4 for 2021 for yonks now, and finally, Aprilia have delivered the goods. Sure, it’s not a brand-new bike but it’s still exciting, as the runner-up to the last two years’ Ultimate Sports Bike tests now looks to be better than ever, thanks to a host of minor upgrades and even a little power hike. The first big change comes in the engine, thanks to a small cc increase to make the new V4 1099cc, instead of 1077cc, alongside a new pipe, which means that the RSV4 now makes 217 horsepower – and although Aprilia haven’t released a torque figure just yet, they say that that’s higher too. The electronics have been updated, with a new Marelli 11MP ECU running…

Fancy something a little beefier than the 790 Duke, but not as hardcore as the 890 Duke R? Well, KTM really do have you covered with their new 890 Duke, the latest addition to their line-up. Replacing the 790 Duke, and being essentially a softer, more road-focused version of the 890 Duke R, the 890 Duke is the new scalpel – but with 10 horsepower and 5Nm of torque more than the previous 790. As you’d imagine, it still comes with a whole host of goodies, such as a TFT dash, full electronics package and Continental ContiRoad tyres, but also comes equipped with updated APEX WP suspension, an updated electronics package with a 6D lean angle sensor (and track mode) alongside uprated brakes. They’ll be in dealers in February, and…

You can keep your van Goghs, your da Vincis and all the rest of that tat… this, right here, is what I call art. And at a mere (gulp!) £65k, this original’s probably a fair bit cheaper too. Of course, they say that beauty is in the eye of the bar-holder, but I didn’t need to sit on MV Agusta’s swansong F4 to appreciate the marvel of the machine: a motorcycle crafted in honour of the deceased Claudio Castiglioni, featuring countless racing innovations and more tech than you’ll find in Currys PC World. A machine absolutely dripping in carbon, tantalising styling and the type of coloured switchgears you’d find on a MotoGP bike. The more I saw, the more I liked, with a level of engineering so considered it hurt…

I’ve done a shedload of interviews over my time that have been both enjoyable and insightful, but I’ve got to say, this was one of the best. To hear Norton’s CEO come out and say that “this is a strategy for turning Norton into a brand that can compete with the Ducatis and BMWs of this world” and mean it, with the minerals to back it up after all their trouble? Well, that’s something I wouldn’t have bet any cash on hearing just a few years ago after all their drama – I mean, the history of the brand is a whirlwind story if ever there was one. There have been so many milestones and speed bumps along the way, where would we even start? Well, after doing a shedload…

We’ve all been there, with some money burning a hole in our pockets, trawling the internet looking to blow the lot on a motorbike. Unless you’re particularly well heeled, there’s always a limit to the budget and therefore a limit to what your options are to fill the space in your garage with, which more often than not leads to a degree of disappointment that the newer/more powerful/better equipped/ lower mileage version will have to wait for another time. But there is another way to get more bang for your buck, much more… buy a track bike or race bike and put it back on the road. Thanks in part to the rise in popularity of track days, especially over the past 15 years, the associated boom in aftermarket performance…

TIME ON TEST: TWO MONTHS ODOMETER MILES BHP: 40 GAIN: 0 NEXT AIM: MORE SADDLE-TIME Well, I’m not going to lie to you all; the last few months haven’t quite gone down exactly as I’d planned in terms of this baby. Originally, I’d planned to run it in gently, before taking it for its first service at three hours’ use (which is a lot of riding when you’re off-road!), and that’s where I was going to stick the road ‘plate on, alongside a few other bits needed like the horn. I was so eager to pick the CRF up, I couldn’t wait an extra few months for all the road guff to appear! I was then going to do a few days on MX tracks, a day of enduro practice…

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 us, and we’ll look after the rest, and if you haven’t won this time, there’s always next month. There are no cash alternatives available. The winning image will be drawn at random. Terms and conditions apply. To view the privacy policy of MMG Ltd (publisher of…

There’s a lot to be said for being the sole engine supplier to a World Championship series. Sure, it’s a great way to gain a bucketload of exposure, and yes, there’s no better stage to showcase an engine than underneath the very fastest and most savage throttle-stretchers on the planet. Yet it’s worth remembering that with great power comes great responsibility; if these bikes go pop, or have engine issues, there’s a lot to answer for and absolutely nowhere to throw the blame. But thankfully, that hasn’t been the case - the only things that’ve been broken since Triumph power took over have been top speeds and lap records. And there’s absolutely no one who knows more about this than Carlos Ezpeleta; you may not know him too well, but…

Welcome to 2021! I hope everyone was able to enjoy the festive break as much as possible given the circumstances. I was lucky enough to get away just before Christmas to Antigua, my first time in the Caribbean, which was a great way to relax and unwind after a tough year! It was a mega trip, although I’m not usually one for lying on the beach so I spent much of the time keeping busy exploring the island, sightseeing and even swimming with wild stingrays. One of my favourites from the trip was the off-road buggying, the racer in me needed some adrenaline! On my return, I got to spend Christmas with my parents (Antigua is in the travel corridor for the UK). They only live close by but I…