Success of SMT-Batham’s super-light Macau bike overshadowed by road racing’s cruel side.
2016 BMW S1000RR ALEC TAGUE, CREW CHIEF
WE ARRIVED IN MACAU not knowing what to expect with our lightweight project bike. At the final round of BSB, Michael tested the Dymag carbon wheels and Fortis swingarm in free practice, but had to revert to aluminium wheels for the competitive sessions, and the rest of the good bits were kept in reserve for Macau. Just as well; he put the BSB bike end-over-end at Clearways...The final weight for the Macau bike was 158.3kg with all fluids but no fuel – that’s around 18 kilos less than anything he’s used to, and 10kg less than a BSB bike on the weight limit. Michael reckoned it was like moving a 600 around!
So we were into the unknown in FP1: I had our usual components ready to go in case it wasn’t working, but it was instantly good. Spring rates front and rear were guessed before we flew out, and we didn’t need to touch them. We worked on damping a little – the stiffer, lighter wheels transmitted more shocks back to the bike; we had to play around with reducing compression, and firming up the rebound.
Denne historien er fra January 2018-utgaven av Performance Bikes.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
Allerede abonnent ? Logg på
Denne historien er fra January 2018-utgaven av Performance Bikes.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
Allerede abonnent? Logg på
Down Under On Top
In 1987 Wayne Gardner became the first Australian to win the 500cc world championship. Thirty years later, the Wild Man from Wollongong recalls that amazing year of V4 dominance...
Cheste Pains
In 1987, PB’s editor sent three grown men to the Bol d’Or on two-stroke 125s, resulting in a tale of misery, hilarity and adventure. 30 years later, we’re doing it again – but this time, it’s four-strokes, and the destination is mid-Spain, in winter...
Factory Fugitive
Against all odds, this HRC RC45 was saved from the crusher and ended up in the hands of PB reader Mick Loughlin, who ensures this Suzuka exotica still gets a pasting.
The Losing Battle RC45 Vs 916
Both Honda and Ducati debuted new WSB bikes in 1994, igniting a superbike development battle that Honda could never win...
Remy: A Chip Off The Old Block
Wayne Gardner is now in the thick of his second Grand Prix career, as father and coach to elder son Remy.
It's All About The Battery
JAPANESE COMPANY MUGEN (owned by Soichiro Honda’s son, Hirotoshi) currently makes the world’s fastest EV race bikes.
Got Them Over A Barrel
Michael Rutter has had one of the seasons of his life in British Superstock and on the roads. His team had no option but to agree to do it all again next year...
Winter Of Malcontent
GSX-R fights the seasonal blues.
Franco Says Relax
Next year Moto2 ace Franco Morbidelli will be the first VR46 rider to make it to MotoGP. But the young Roman is more laidback than any title challenger has a right to be – is that something to do with his teacher?
Working Double Time
Rutter’s man reveals the demands of racing in both British Superstock AND British Superbikes
