Innholdsfortegnelse for February 2024 i Fast Bikes

The slimline, antenna-free unit can be fitted to any helmet using a new magnetic Air Mount for effortless and secure attachment. Featuring second-generation dynamic mesh communication (DMC) connectivity, up to 15 riders can connect and seamlessly join, leave, and rejoin at a distance of up to eight kilometres (five miles). Other benefits include: an unparalleled deep wideband sound quality; a simpler and faster grouping process in DMC mode; faster pairing in Bluetooth mode; and live intercom Bluetooth support. Helping cement its ‘edge’ over its predecessors, the PACKTALK EDGE has enhanced sound thanks to redesigned JBL speakers and three new sound profiles, and it has an improved noise-cancelling microphone. It also houses the most advanced Bluetooth 5.2 chip on the market for universal connectivity. The upgraded ‘Natural Voice Operation’ engine also…

The all-new Kawasaki ZX-4RR is an all-singing, all-dancing 400cc four-cylinder screamer that is set to turn heads and hearts with its Ninja race Styling and impressive performance. If you’re wanting a modern-day performance sportsbike with all the ‘goodies’ but don’t have your big bike ticket, or if you’re endlessly debating which 1990s 400 to buy to go and win the 400cc Clubman Cup, then just hold your horses. This little gem is well worth a look and might just persuade you to part ways with that chunk of cash stashed under your bed. So, to paint the picture, four-cylinder 400s haven’t really been a thing since the late 1980s and early 1990s when they came bursting onto the scene following the extra licensing, tax, and cost implications that the Japanese…

Every time I ride an R7, I find myself with a big smile on my face. I’m so used to riding big bikes that I forget the simple pleasures on tap from a machine like this. The best bit, for me, is the motor, which is surprisingly punchy. It’s great from low down and works nicely with the sporty frame, which feels plenty stiff and track-inclined. Okay, it’s not going to rip your arms from their sockets, but this thing has got a bit of go about it, and I like the way it handles too. It’s a talkative bike that sits you in a very front-bias riding position, just like any good sportsbike should. The ergonomics can feel a little too much for tootling on the road, so bear…

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 proven to make you at least 60% faster!* Send yours to letters@fastbikes.co.uk Mickey Thomas Rocket We love a bit of art: Mickey Thomas’s Rocket and a sunset, no filter (well, maybe a little one). James Douglas R1200 GS James Douglas pushing the limits of saturation with his R1200 GS. WINNING…

I’m writing this while winding my way through horrible London traffic on my way to a Royal Automobile Club memorial lunch celebrating the life of the late, great Mike Trimby. He was buried in the Isle of Man in a private family service back in September, but because he was such a widely-respected figure in the world of motorcycle racing thanks to his hard work with ITRA to improve the safety of the riders at MotoGP, the club has decided to hold this memorial for all to pay their respects. It’s been the Motorcycle Live show at the NEC that’s kept me most busy this month. It’s always a cracking show and this year was packed out once again. I was hosting alongside James Whitham on the Black Horse stage,…

ALPINESTARS COROZAL V2 GLOVES Short winter gloves seem like a mad idea - but many riders really like them, especially on shorter rides. Having no massive cuff to finagle around your jacket sleeve often gives a comfier fit, and if you seal everything up carefully, there should be no draughts or leaks. These Alpinestars Corozal gloves have a Drystar breathable waterproof membrane, thermal lining, a leather/textile outer shell with goat skin palms, hard knuckle armour and easyfastening Velcro cuff strap. Touchscreen-compatible fingertips and rubber reinforcement on thumb and palm round off the spec. RRP: £99 www.alpinestars.com OXFORD MERTON 2.0 BOOTS Oxford Products has upgraded its top-selling Merton casual riding boot for 2024, with comfier, softer leather and a longer zip for easier access. It has a breathable waterproof leather upper…

When I heard Kawasaki was set to release a pukka inline-four 400, my heart skipped a beat. I grew up racing 400s, among a flock of ZXR400S, so from a purely nostalgic point of view, this bike already had meaning to me. Has it lived up to the hype? Yes… and no. I seem to remember the original 400s being quicker and more characterful, but maybe that’s my rose-tinted glasses talking. To be frank about it, I was disappointed by how flat the bike was low down, and while it did come alive with revs, it was slightly annoying that everything needed to be done at 50,000 revs. While it’s fun to get the thing singing in the open, tackling fast sweepers, it was a little tedious through town. I…

MACAU GP MASTERCLASS If you’ve been a naughty biker you need some decent legal advice. Get it from mail@whitedalton.co.uk Q I ride all year round and pride myself on that fact. I am not a fair-weather rider, although all my mates are. With the latest cold snap, I found myself riding during -3 degrees Celsius. I can usually spot microclimates and take extra care. Last week I hit an icy patch on the road; I just didn’t see it. I fell off my GS 1200 and damaged it quite badly (it doesn’t have engine bars). I am mostly okay, just walking wounded with some bruises. My insurer wants to put this down as a ‘fault claim’ but I am wondering, do I have a claim? A Unbelievably, I am going to…

OLD-SCHOOL COOL Hi Fast Bikes, Just reading the last couple of pages of your December edition. It’s been a great read this week while I’ve been away on my holibobs with my missus. Here’s a picture of my slightly uprated Thruxton R, complete with TTS Rotrex supercharger kit, forged pistons, race cam, scorpion oversized exhaust headers, Vance & Hines cans minus dB killers, a Commander 5 ecu, stronger clutch springs, uprated head gasket, and a quickshifter. Was 96bhp (81hp at rear wheel), now circa 155bhp (136hp measured at rear wheel). It’s an absolute torque monster, with about 150Nm max, but masses of torque delivered from as little 3000rpm upwards. Of course, you can’t ride a bike like this without looking dapper… The photo is myself, stopped at Cardiff Bay barrage…

The Isle of Man TT+ live video pass is available to buy for 2024 too, with the price held to the same as last year-just £19.99 to watch the whole fortnight of action online, sitting on the sofa wearing your TT Arai helmet: https://ttplus.iomttraces.com/browse NEW MICHELIN RUBBER TRIO FOR 2024 Three sweet new fitments from Michelin.The Power GP2 is a new road-legal race tyre, developed with knowledge from MotoGP and the highest-performing treaded rubber it sells. Then there’s the Power 6, a sport-touring tyre with loads of wet grip. And then there’s the Anakee Road, a Tarmac-biased adventure touring tyre. They’re all set to be in shops from January.…

British Superbikes has announced two brand-new classes for 2024, which will see both the Kawasaki ZX-4RR and the Yamaha R7 competing in their respective class, while the National Superstock 600 and Junior Superstort classes are axed. Pirelli National Sportbike Championship New for the 2024 season, eligible machines include the Yamaha R7, Aprilia RS660, Kawasaki Ninja 650 and Honda Hornet 750, as well as others believed to be entering the sector. All machines will run on Mektronic ECU platforms with BoP formula to manage model parity and slick tyres. Rider eligibility is a minimum age of 16 years on March 1, 2024. Kawasaki British Superteen Championship In association with Kawasaki UK, a high-level promoted championship with manufacturer presence and support, and importantly contained budget and technical controls. The machine to be…

What the hell is this monstrosity doing here? Well the weird American pastime of bagger racing has become a bit of a thing in recent years, partly down to the sheer audacity of racing strippeddown 300kg American cruisers round a track and party down to our very own Jeremy McWilliams making such a good job of it, even winning at Daytona. But it’s also perhaps down to the desire for something a bit different in the race world. MotoGP, BSB and WSB are fantastic series, but the machinery can look a bit ‘samey’, especially in superbikes. And there are plenty of rumours about a new bagger racing series for outside the US, maybe as a support class in BSB, or even in one of the world championships. Watch this space…

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 got independent advice.…

Click your fingers and it’s Christmas. Christ, that came up quick, didn’t it! It’s blown my mind how fast this year has gone, but like they say, time flies when you’re having fun and I’ve certainly been keeping myself occupied since we last spoke a couple of months back. I can’t exactly say the last six weeks have been thrilling, but they’ve Certainly been busy. I’ve been in a tractor cutting hedgerows around the farm for what feels like an eternity and now my neck is in a constant state of twistedness from looking out the rear window, so when the Triumph Scrambler launch came up last week, I was desperate to get away and break the monotony. I’ll not go on about it in my column, but the Scrambler…

So, with the dust now settled on the year, it’s nice to confirm I will be staying with the Oxford Racing Moto Rapido Ducati squad for 2024. As much as I had a lot of interest from other places and despite a tough year, it just made no logical sense to move elsewhere. The fact I had a multi-year contract put to one side, I also know I have one of the best bikes with one of the best teams behind it, and in a championship where marginal gains mean so much, I really think continuity is key. I’m genuinely buoyed by the good noises the team are making, and after we had a big post-season heart to heart, there will be subtle but important changes that will be made…