Indholdsfortegnelse for September 2024 i Fast Bikes

There's nothing comparable with the ear-shattering cackle of a 500GP machine. No matter how often I hear one, it never fails to startle me and rattle my senses. I was at Suzuki Live a few weeks back, being primarily there to test this issue's GSX-R1000 cover bike, but while I was at it I found myself mesmerised by the frequent fire-ups of Team Classic Suzuki's array of two-stoke Grand Prix machinery. The sound, smell and mechanical marvel of such bikes never failed to draw a crowd, pulling folk in faster than a seagull spotting chips, burying them beneath the kind of hazy blue smoke that'd be assured to put hair on your chest. I had to laugh, because for all the glee on people's faces, there were also plenty of…

Tried Out TESTED BY: Bruce TIME: Six months PRICE: £3100 WEB: www.yamaha-motor.eu When you live a life of wheelies, burnouts and fast laps on race tracks, it's hard to spot a midlife crisis… but six months on in the saddle of Yamaha's Wabash e-bike, I daresay that's exactly where I'm at. I'll be honest, cycling isn't for everyone, and quite frankly, Lycra is even more polarising, but for me, life on two wheels, be it powered or pedalled, has formed my staple diet for as long as I can remember. I am that bloke who clocks thousands of miles a year on a pushbike, and by the time you've read this, I'll have completed my first ironman triathlon – a 112-mile ride, following a 2.4-mile swim, wrapping things up with a 26.2-mile marathon. It's fair to…

PENAL SERVITUDE PREVENTER The Fast Bikes Legal Clinic is compiled by Gavin Grewal, and his bike-riding 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. For road traffic offences call Motor Defence Team 0800 280 0912 For non-offence cases call White Dalton Motorcycle Solicitors 0800 783 6191 Visit their websites…

COLUMNIST OXFORD PRODUCTS MOTO-RAPIDO BRITISH SUPERBIKES It's a long time since I had that feeling… 1057 days, to be precise, and if you were to ask if ‘that day’ was the day it would happen again, then I would have bet all my worldly belongings against it. The weekend up at Knockhill was tough before it started; recovery from a shoulder injury was going reasonably well, but I was certainly far from feeling 100%. I missed direct entry into Q2 for the first time this year, and even in the wet in the afternoon (where I'm normally pretty mustard) I was ninth overall and busting a ball to even do that. The feeling wasn't good. To add to my tale of woe, the first race was going pretty decently until…

BMW R1300 GS ADVENTURE UNLEASHED It's probably a terrible stereotype to say that the Germans like order and organisation – but they do like things to run on a familiar schedule, we reckon. Hence this: the new R1300 GS Adventure, launched about a year after the new base R1300 GS. As ever, the variant comes with a slightly weird combo of more luxury touring ability and more hardcore off-road chops, making it look more suited to the dirt, while adding 30-odd kg. The idea, we guess, is to sell the dream of super-long-range adventuring with your significant other, while being able to take on any route. How many customers end up doing any of that is another question, of course… The basics remain the same as the standard 1300 GS:…

HOW HANDS-ON ARE YOU WITH THE BIKE? I'm quite lucky in that we're part of a smaller team, so I'm able to get more involved than some people. But Nathan is the bike builder, so it's more a case of helping him where needed, taking bodywork on or off, or working together to improve areas such as the ergonomics. Having made my way up through club racing, you become used to being hands-on, but I'm now really privileged to have Nathan taking that lead. At the level I'm at now, towards the front of the TT, the bike's pretty much made for me, meaning any small changes I ask for are made if it's possible. The bike's built as I wish. IS THERE STILL MORE POTENTIAL IN THIS BIKE? I…

STAR LETTER NAKED LOVER… Hi there, I read with interest the article on the naked bike special, because I own two of the bikes mentioned. I own the MV Agusta Brutale Rosso 2021 model (110bhp) and the Street Triple 765RS in cosmic yellow. I am 6ft 1in tall and find both bikes comfortable and not cramped in any way; you can tuck your legs in to the tank. The Street Triple is smooth and sophisticated, i.e., slick gear change and clutch.I love all the bling on it, the Öhlins rear shock, and the Brembo Stylema calipers – all top-notch. The MV Agusta, on the other hand, has the single-sided swingarm, the triple exhaust and the proper trellis frame. I find the bike more exciting even though it has less power;…

COLUMNIST EX-RACER & TEAM MANAGER RACE INSIDER It's been a busy old month but so good being back in the thick of it. Despite the great British weather, it finally feels like summer is here, and I've been all over the place with some really great events since we spoke last month. As always, I've been flying the flag for Suzuki, riding an array of bikes and talking as much nonsense as possible to whoever wants to hear it. It's such a pleasure to have maintained a great relationship with the boys and girls at Suzuki since I packed up racing back in the day, and even though I'm often riding the same old machines, I always have a brilliant time. I think the fans enjoy seeing Suzukis on the…

ALPINESTARS TECH AIR 7 AIRBAG Motorcycle airbags are becoming more widespread thanks to firms like Alpinestars, Dainese and In&Motion, which are all expanding their product ranges. This is the latest high-end design from Alpinestars, aimed at race/track and road use, which features a dual inflator system so it can energise twice in a bad or extended crash. The gas generators are easily replaced, and the airbag works as a standalone unit or integrated into a suitable Alpinestars suit/jacket. It protects the back, chest and shoulders, with an extended back protector panel to cover the coccyx. RRP: £950 www.alpinestars.com FURYGAN K12X KEVLAR JEANS Furygan has revamped its Kevlar-reinforced riding jeans for 2024 with a new single-layer construction, adjustable knee protector pockets and a stretch denim material. There are also new ‘Ghost’…

WIN A FAST BIKES HOODIE! To be in with a chance of winning this most tasteful of tops, just email us (letters@fastbikes.co.uk) or post on our Facebook page with a pic of you, your bike and a few words about it, where you've been on it and why you rate it so highly. We'll then pick our favourite post each month and that lucky person will be the proud owner of their very own Fast Bikes hoodie – which is prove to make you at least 60% faster!* *Disclaimer: May not actually make you any faster. Send yours to letters@fastbikes.co.uk WINNING RIDE See page 8 for the best deals…