New lad Austin jumps from a 1997 VFR to a fettled ZX-10R that does 98mph in first. Recalibration required...
IF I WAS on my first week of a job in a workshop, by now someone would have sent me down to Halfords for a left-handed spanner. Pretty wise to wind-up, I assumed when Chris naffed off to Australia for the launch of the new GSX-R1000 (page 20), and threw me the keys to Matt’s old ZX-10R he was pulling my plonker.
My riding life has seen its fair share of sports bikes, but in recent years I’ve been performing my commute on a 20-year-old VFR750. Upright, plodding, getting the job done. My NC30 is currently in pieces in the shed (OK, it’s been that way for years now – but I will get round to sorting it), so the promise of some proper wheel-lofting action on a litre bike was – once I’d realised Chris wasn’t having a laugh – enough to cause moderate tension to the fabric of my underwear.
This story is from the April 2017 edition of Performance Bikes.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Sign In
This story is from the April 2017 edition of Performance Bikes.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
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
