Suzuki GSX-R750

The GSX-R750 started the 750cc sportsbike class, mixed it with the best homologation specials and has outlived them all. It's engine isn't so powerful it chews through rear tyres or needs traction control. Instead, it's involving and easy to manage, but has enough power and torque to lap a circuit as quick as a superbike.

This 2009 model has covered 13,000 miles and is for sale at under £6,000 - excellent value for such a well-rounded sportsbike.

Yamaha MT-07 Moto Cage gets fluoro makeover

Yamaha have given the 2016 MT-07 Moto Cage a grey and fluorescent yellow makeover to bring it into line with the all-new MT-10 range topper.

Launch: KTM 1290 Super Duke GT

KTM are currently launching their all-new 178bhp sports touring 1290 Super Duke GT in Malaga, Spain and MCN Senior Road Tester Adam Child is there to put it though its paces.

The new GT uses the same LC8 engine platform as the Super Duke R and Super Adventure, with their familiar 1301 V-Twin. The modified fly-by-wire motor now produces a claimed 173bhp, the same as the Super Duke R with a whopping 106ftlb of torque. While the figures match the R, the torque has moved lower in the rev range to suit the GT’s sports touring focus.

Controlling all that power are some very clever electronics including traction control, cornering ABS and WP semi active suspension, which all come as standard. There are also three rider modes (sport, street and rain) to help deliver all that power in the best possible way.

But it’s not all about the headline grabbing performance figures, with a 23l fuel tank, a manually adjustable screen, and relaxed riding potion; the GT has been designed to take on some serious miles in comfort. Additionally there’s heated grips, cruise control, quickshifter (up only) and tyre pressure sensors – all as standard. There’s even integrated indicators and adaptive LED cornering lights, which illuminate progressively dependant on the bike’s lean angle, as fitted to the Super Adventure. The subframe has been strengthened to take the extra weight of the luggage and pillion, there’s a decent grab handle for the pillion too, while optional hard panniers easily click onto the standard rear pannier mountings just below the pillion seat.

Obviously all this comes at a cost, £15,999 to be precise – which is on the expensive side. When MCN’s Andy Downes rode the 1290 Super Duke GT prototype last year he was “highly impressed by its blend of towering performance and comfort,” so now we’ll see if the production bike really has what it takes to be a best seller.

Check back here for Chad’s first impressions throughout the weekend, and see the full launch report in this Wednesday’s MCN.

Royal Enfield to launch three new motorcycles by 2018

Royal Enfield is planning to launch a new motorcycle every year, till 2018. While Mr Siddhartha Lal, the head honcho of Royal Enfield, refused to name the motorcycles, we can be pretty sure that the first of these to be introduced here will be the Himalayan, which has been spotted testing quite a few times now.

Royal Enfield’s previous big launch was the Continental GT café racer, which went on sale in India in November 2013. However with aggressive plans to expand to other global markets, the company seems to have realised that they might not be able to replicate their success in India with their obsolete model line-up. With the aim of expanding its portfolio, Royal Enfield has invested over Rs 500 crore in enhancing the research and development facility in Chennai. The company’s new model portfolio will span between 250cc and 750cc products. 

Owing to the bump in demand for its products and the increasing waiting period, Royal Enfield has been steadily expanding its production capacity. While the facility in Oragadam, Chennai was producing 20,000 units per month till the last year, the production has been ramped up to 30,000 units per month this year. With more investment coming in, this number will go all the way up to 50,000 units a month, till 2016.

2017 Suzuki SV650 First Look

2017 Suzuki SV650 Specs

Engine: 645 cc, 4-stroke, 2-cylinder, liquid-cooled, DOHC, 90-degree V-Twin
Bore x Stroke: 3.19 in. x 2.46 in. (81.0 x 62.6mm)
Compression Ratio: 11.2: 1
Fuel System: Fuel injection
Starter: Electric
Lubrication: Wet sump

DRIVE TRAIN
Transmission: 6-speed, constant mesh
Final Drive: Chain

CHASSIS
Suspension Front: Telescopic, coil spring, oil damped
Suspension Rear: Link type, coil spring, oil damped, spring preload 7-step adjustable
Brakes Front: Twin 2-piston calipers, 290 mm discs
Brakes Rear: Single 1-piston caliper, 240 mm disc
Tires Front: 120/70ZR17M/C (58W), tubeless
Tires Rear: 160/60ZR17M/C (69W), tubeless
Fuel Tank Capacity: 3.8 US gal (14.5 L) / 3.6 US gal (13.8 L) CA model
Color: Pearl Mira Red & Pearl Glacier White
Overall Length: 2140mm (84.2 in.)
Overall Width: 760mm (29.9 in.)
Curb Weight: 195 kg (429.9 lbs.) / 197 kg (434.3 lbs.) ABS model
Wheelbase: 1445mm (56.9 in.)
Ground Clearance: 135mm (5.3 in.)
Seat Height: 785mm (30.9 in.)
Final Drive: DID525V8, 114 links
Transmission: 6-speed constant mesh

ELECTRICAL
Ignition Electronic ignition: (Transistorized)

DIMENSIONS AND CURB WEIGHT
Overall Length: 2140mm (84.2 in.)
Overall Width: 760mm (29.9 in.)
Wheelbase: 1445mm (56.9 in.)
Ground Clearance: 135mm (5.3 in.)
Seat Height: 785mm (30.9 in.)
Curb Weight: 195 kg (429.9 lbs.) / 197 kg (434.3 lbs.) ABS model

WARRANTY
Warranty: 12 month unlimited mileage limited warranty

Milwaukee BMW pulls covers off new S1000RR

In fourteen weeks we have gone from a domestic championship winning team to World Superbike contenders.

Reigning MCE British Superbike champions SMR have pulled the covers off their new BMW S1000RR machinery as they prepare for their World Superbike debut this weekend in Phillip Island.

Yamaha MT-09 First Ride

The Yamaha MT-09 was the first bike in the revamped and now hugely successful MT range. Over the last two years Yamaha has sold over 20,000 MT-09s, paving the way for a wider range of capacities under the MT banner. Updated for 2016 the MT-09 has a softer engine map to smooth out the jerky throttle, a three-stage traction control system and a new colour scheme - all for the same £7349 price tag as the 2015 model.

Ducati 939 Hypermotard

Ducati’s impractical – and hysterically entertaining to ride – Hypermotard range has been given even more potency for 2016 with all three models (Hypermotard, Hypermotard SP and Hyperstrada) gaining a new 937cc version of their liquid-cooled desmo V-twin to bring the model in line with Euro4 requirements whilst suffering no dip in performacne.

2016 Yamaha SR400

World Wide Bike's CommunityA legendary classic that’s a kick to ride, with retro 1970s styling and one of the best performing 399cc air-cooled engines.

TVS Apache RTR 200 to be launched in Nepal by April this year

The TVS Apache RTR 200 was launched in India last year. It has largely borrowed styling elements from the Draken-X21 concept that was first showcased at the 2014 Auto Expo. Once launched in Nepal, the much-awaited product will compete with the presently sold Bajaj Pulsar 200NS and KTM Duke 200. Let's hope the Apache RTR 200 4V is priced at a competitive price in Nepal for it compete fiercely in the naked segment of motorcycles.

Uber rolls out motorcycle taxi service in Bangkok

The move is an effort to counter what rival ride-hailing apps are doing -- competitor GrabTaxi already offers a motorcycle option in the Thai capital, called GrabBike.
It isn't Uber's first go at motorcycles. In 2012, the company launched a moto-taxi option in Paris for a few weeks as a short-term experiment. It hasn't tried another motorcycle feature until the Bangkok one, which it has designed for cities in developing countries like Thailand, according to spokesman Karun Arya.
"Two-wheel transportation is a form of mobility for millions and millions of people," he said.
Motorbike rides can now be requested like any other Uber taxi on the app in three central Bangkok neighborhoods, and the driver will even show up with a helmet for the passenger.
Related: Uber competitor says its drivers will own the company
"Motorcycles are part of the commuting culture in Thailand," Douglas Ma, Uber's head of Asia expansion, said in a statement. He suggested the new service would "create tens of thousands of flexible work opportunities for Thais."
Fares start at 10 baht (28 U.S. cents), and cost an additional 3.50 baht for each kilometer and 0.85 baht per minute for every ride -- cheaper than the car service.

2016 Kawasaki Ninja 1000 Comparison Review Photos

Check out the 2016 Kawasaki Ninja 1000 take on a challenge from the Suzuki GSX-S1000F in this comparison review gallery. Read the full comparison review here.

2016 Kawasaki Ninja 1000.

Honda CBR650F – 2017

Honda CBR650F – 2017 Honda news
2017hondanews.com750 × 363Search by image
trip meter. Just like true supersport bike, this one also features a clip-on handlebars, which will put you in great riding position, which is both sporty and comfortable enough for longer trips.

Honda Releases Models for 2015

World Wide Bike's Community 2016

Yamaha reveal MT-10 spec and price

MT-10 at a glance
Power 158.2bhp @ 11,500rpm
Torque 81.86ftlb @ 9000rpm
Seat height 825mm
Weight 210kg
Price £9999
Availability May 2016

When the Ten arrives in dealerships this May, it will be boasting a very healthy power output of 158.2bhp at 11,500rpm, and 81.86ftlb torque at 9000rpm all wrapped in a minimalist package. With a kerb weight of 210kg (around 190kg dry), and most of that weight carried low in the chassis, it should feel scalpel sharp and super-responsive.

Yamaha have claimed that it will be “most remarkable naked bike to be developed by Yamaha so far”, and the spec sheet certainly suggests that it will go a long way to eradicating the memory of the disappointing FZ1.

The other big punch in their fight for a share of the nutty naked segment is that the MT-10 will cost just £9999 – as MCN predicted back in November. This places the MT firmly in the ring with BMW’s S1000R (£10,350), Kawasaki’s Z1000 (£9899), Suzuki’s GSX-S1000 (£9599), and Triumph’s new Speed Triple S (£10,200).

Based heavily on the YZF-R1S – the American-market budget-orientated version of the UK’s fully-blown R1 – the MT gets the same main chassis, swingarm, suspension, electronics package (minus the IMU), wheels and basic engine architecture – ‘retuned’ for more mid-range responsiveness. It gets rider modes, traction control, cruise control, Yamaha’s Slip & Assist clutch, and a full LCD dash, too.

Yamaha have also revealed that there will be an extensive accessories catalogue for the MT, including an official Akrapovic silencer, quickshifter and various billet trinkets for the sporty buyers, and a bigger screen, soft panniers, heated grips and a comfort seat for those looking for more versatility from their bike.

The MT-10 is expected to make its rolling debut in mid-April, when we get to test the claims and spec sheet against what it delivers on the tarmac.

New ZX-10R takes on its rivals

To find out if Kawasaki’s new ZX-10R has what it takes to beat its rivals, we’ve begun a week-long comparison test, which starts at MCN’s Peterborough HQ today and finishes at the Alcarras circuit in Spain on Friday.

The previous ZX-10R was released in 2011 and it dominated in World and British Superbike, Superstock 1000 and club racing, but in road trim it didn’t have the searing grunt of the competition, or the technology.

Kawasaki hope all that will change with the new machine, which has the latest electronic rider aids, and a revised chassis and styling. We tested the old and new ZX-10R a few weeks ago and while straight line performance is similar, it makes 191bhp on our dyno – 10bhp up on the old one.

In our 2016 superbike shootout, we’ll be pitching the new ZX-10R against last year’s winner, the Yamaha R1, as well as the Aprilia RSV4 RF, BMW S1000RR and Ducati 1299 Panigale S.

There won’t be a Honda Fireblade or Suzuki GSX-R1000 at the test, as last year’s test showed that while they’re still superb road bikes, they are outpaced on the track and in the rider aids department – an neither have been updated for 2016.

Over the next two days we’re riding the three inline four-cylinder test machines 1000-miles from the UK to Spain. We’ve equipped them with Metzeler’s new Roadtec 01 sports touring tyre, which will be perfect for the cold, wet and conditions we’ll find along the way at this time of the year.

In The Pits For Foggy's 40th win

Uncompromising and fanatical - Carl Fogarty's your nightmare workmate. Back in August 1997, Bike's Olly Duke joined team Ducati Corse as Foggy became superbike's best rider

lorious sunshine beats down as I sip my tiny cup of treacly, rocket-fuel expresso coffee. An excitable gabble of Italian breaks out as a group of lads play footy nearby, and the waft of frying garlic creeps into my nostrils. For one delicious moment I'm in a cafe in the town square of one of those beautiful, terracotta-coloured, hilltop villages in Tuscany.

Then the broad Lancashire accent of George Fogarty, Carl's dad, jolts me down to earth. I'm in the Donington Park paddock, where I'm spending a bank holiday World Superbike weekend. George ambles over to the food bar and is served a platter of pasta. He's joined by Michaela, Foggy's wife, and their two children, Danielle and Claudia. It's a family affair.

NASCAR Sprint Cup Daytona 500

Drivers, start your engines as Daytona 500 kicks off the 2016 NASCAR season and the Chase for the Cup. The Sprint Unlimited is over and the CAN-AM Duel helped set the 40-car field participating in the Sprint Cup’s first race of the year.

Two NASCAR legends, Jeff Gordan and Tony Stewart, are out of the field, leaving the race wide open for someone to come away victorious with the win in the Super Bowl of NASCAR. However, Gordan’s first-hand experience and time spent driving in multiple Daytona 500’s and other races will be called upon often as part of the FOX broadcast team.

The coverage begins on FOX at 1:00 p.m. EST as another NASCAR season gets underway. Every driver is in the same place with zero points in the Chase. It’s a fresh slate for every team who are all looking to improve upon their 2015 season’s looking to come away victorious with the Sprint Cup once November is over.

Lorenzo downplays testing crash

Jorge Lorenzo has played down his crash in the closing stages of this week’s second pre-season test at Phillip Island. The Movistar Yamaha racer was one of a number of racers to fall in the closing stages of the day as temperatures dropped at the costal track.

A combination of a cold breeze and mid-afternoon rain left the track temperature at it’s lowest point of the test, and as riders pushed both to set a fast time and to try Michelin’s new harder compound front tyre, crashes were almost inevitable.

However, after the low speed tumble at Lukey Heights, among the slowest parts of the high-speed circuit, the reigning world champion was quick to dismiss the crash.

“My crash was just putting in too hard a tyre for the conditions.  We didn’t have any crashes for the riders until the last few hours, but after the morning rain the track was never the same; we wanted to go faster and faster but the track was cold. We went with an old hard tyre, and it was too much for the conditions of the tarmac.

“The tyre has improved since the first time we tried it last year, but as the number of crashes demonstrates, Michelin still need to improve. We still have some work to do.  The rear tyre is good though – I like it a lot! It offers the riders good grip. But there’s till work to do on the front.”

However, despite both the crash and the mixed conditions that saw intermittent rain halt proceeding on numerous occasions, team boss Massimo Meregalli says that the squad are leaving Australia content with their progress.

"Overall we can be quite satisfied with the work we have done, if you take into account the little amount of testing time that was available over these last three days. The only glitch was Jorge's crash, most likely due to the cold conditions.

“Though we had some mixed weather and again weren't able to put in many laps, we completed most of the work that we had planned for this test. We came here with the imperative to decide on which bike we would start the season with.

“When the track dried in the afternoon we were able to make a comparison between the two models and chose accordingly. We are confident we will be ready for more testing in Qatar in a two weeks' time."

new Victory Octane revealed

Marquez tops final day of Phillip Island testing

Marc Marquez has topped the final day of testing at Phillip Island, taking the top spot by 0.1 from overall fastest man Maverick Viñales. Faster consistently than the rest of the field, they were nonetheless also the victims of colder track temperatures that saw many of the field fall.

Cal Crutchlow was a surprise third, finishing only 0.05 behind the Suzuki rider, but was also a victim of conditions, falling late in the day as cold winds and showers of rain brought cooler track temperatures for the first time on the latest generation of Michelins.

Hector Barbera was fourth, also a surprise name on the timesheets as the Avintia Ducati pairing continue to display how much they’ve adapted to 2016’s new electronics and tyres, with teammate Loris Baz in sixth with only Valentino Rossi splitting the duo.

Marquez, Viñales and Crutchlow weren’t the only fallers, however, with MarcVDS Honda racers Tito Rabat and Jack Miller, Tech 3 Yamaha duo Pol Espargaro and Bradley Smith, the second Suzuki of Aleix Espargaro, Eugene Laverty, Jorge Lorenzo and Danilo Petrucci all fallers – with Petrucci the only serious injury after breaking three metacarpals in his right hand.

Bike of the Day: Kawasaki Versys 1000

The Versys 1000 has a cracking engine with loads of low down grunt, a nice spread of torque and a good dollop of top end power. It’s also extremely comfortable, will eat mile after mile all day long and handles surprisingly well. Not the prettiest of bikes, mind.

This 2013 model has covered just 6,000 miles and comes with a rear hugger and luggage rack. If you're looking for a fast, comfortable mile muncher look no further.

Viñales tops day two at Phillip Island

Maverick Viñales has further reinforced the credentials of the changes made to the Suzuki GSX-RR machine for 2016 by finishing the second day of testing at Phillip Island top of the time sheets.

Making the most of another day hit by intermittent rain, the Spaniard was near the top of the timesheets all day long, occasionally trading the top spot only with Jorge Lorenzo, Marc Marquez and Valentino Rossi – but was able to finish 0.1 ahead with his penultimate lap of the day.

Marquez was second, less than 0.1 ahead of the Yamaha duo of Lorenzo and Rossi, as the double world champion finally starts to make progress with a so-far-troublesome 2016 RCV213.

Cal Crutchlow was fifth, despite admitting afterwards that his time came despite a difficult day of problems that saw him complete only half the laps of many of his rivals, while Hector Barbera was a surprise addition to the top six behind him.

Andrea Iannone was the first of the factory Ducatis in seventh, while a small crash towards the end of the day left Dani Pedrosa unhurt but back in eighth. The British duo of Scott Redding and Bradley Smith rounded out the top ten.

Testing concludes tomorrow, with an uncertain forecast bringing potentially more wet weather to the rain-hit Australian circuit.

Honda prepare to unleash sharper, more powerful sportsbike

This MCN computer-generated image of the next Honda CBR1000RR Fireblade is the most accurate interpretation currently possible of the bike Honda hope will take them back to the sharp end in the superbike class.

The images have been created using newly discovered patents revealing intricate technical details, insider information, and MCN’s racing sources, to create the most up-to-date impression of how the bike will look when it’s unveiled at the end of 2016.

There’s no doubt the 2017 Fireblade will need a comprehensive makeover, in part to satisfy forthcoming Euro4 emissions regs, but it will also be getting a complete electronics package, more power and a hefty cosmetic refresh.

MCN sources have revealed that the new Blade will get electronically adjustable Öhlins suspension, and a full suite of rider aids – including a new version of the C-ABS system, traction control and anti-wheelie. Mechanical changes are expected to include a completely new four-LED headlight, ride-by-wire throttle to enable multiple rider modes, a huge new ram-air system utilising a new headstock air intake, a new airbox, a revised fuel injection system for increased power and torque, and work to reduce internal friction.

A ride-by-wire throttle system is an essential element of maintaining close control of engine mapping, fuel injection and combustion stability. The ride-by-wire throttle will work with a new exhaust featuring a more densely stacked catalyst to cut emissions and increase fuel efficiency.

The airbox modifications are substantial, and have been done with both road and track performance improvements in mind. While the Blade has always been pitched as a road-orientated machine, the requirements of superbike racing and a bike that will work at the Isle of Man TT are clearly still very important.

Head of research and design, Tetsuyo Suzuki (below), recently told MCN: “In terms of the future of the Fireblade we do not want to make something that is as extreme as some bikes, like the Yamaha R1M for example. The performance and concept [for the Fireblade] is not aimed at track riders; that’s not the purpose of the bike. The concept is to have a usable road bike.”

While MCN knows Honda are considering several options for the future of sportsbike development – including the Fireblade, an all-new 1000cc V4 called the RVF1000, and even a cheaper version of the RC213V-S, the only one that is definitely imminent as a new model is this new generation Fireblade.

MCN’s sources have confirmed that the new Fireblade is scheduled to be revealed at the end of this year so it can go on sale as a 2017 model – 25 years after the original CBR900RR-N FireBlade, created by Tadao Baba took the biking world by storm.

Sharper design ethos
Honda insiders have explained the changes to the bike have created a ‘much sharper’ bike in regards to the engine performance, chassis and overall character.

Honda’s air force
If you want more power, the engine will need more air as well as petrol. This gaping-mouthed design will give the Blade a completely fresh look and will force air into the airbox. Keeping the path of high-speed air as straight a line as possible will help the engine work more efficiently. With this in mind Honda have designed the new intake to pass through the headstock, creating the straightest path possible into the airbox.

LED lights
Honda have lodged patents dealing with the way the new quad-LED front lights will look and work, and the detail is very revealing. The four lights will share duties for dipped and main beam, and are shaped around the new central air intake.

Öhlins electronic suspension
The superbike market has changed massively over the past few years and to compete with the more exotic offerings, such as the Ducati 1299 Panigale and Aprilia RSV4 RF, the new Fireblade is expected to receive electronically-adjustable Öhlins suspension which can be programmed for both road or track use.

Barry Sheene comes to the big screen

Development is well underway to bring the incredible life story of the cheeky, charismatic racing legend Barry Sheene to the silver screen. Universally loved, Sheene was many things, a cockney rebel who always did things his way, a playboy who loved life in the fast lane, and a champion who became an icon. The timing of this project, hot off the back of similar biopic epics 'Senna' and 'Rush' in recent years, is perfect, with this year and next marking the 40th anniversaries of Sheene’s two premier class world championships. You can watch a teaser for 'Sheene' below.

His legacy though was to cheat death twice and win two world championships while fighting the authorities and changing the destiny of the most deadly sport in the world. He survived two horrendous, near-fatal crashes, and is widely credited with transforming Grand Prix motorcycle into a global phenomenon. He also forced through significant changes to the safety of the sport, as well as pushing innovations in rider safety equipment, and suffered one of the most famous motorcycle crashes of all time when at Daytona in 1975.

Using the book ‘Barry: The Story of Motorcycling Legend Barry Sheene’, written by his team-mate Steve Parrish and motorcycling commentator Nick Harris as the basis for the film, world-acclaimed writing team of Ian La Frenais and Dick Clement – ‘The Commitments, ‘The Bank Job’, ‘Flushed Away’ and TV series ‘Porridge’ and ‘Auf Wiedersehen Pet, amongst many more – are penning the adaptation for screen. Production is by Will Stoppard of UK firm Deep Springs Pictures, and Rod Morris of IO Films in Australia.

Stoppard commented: “We are thrilled to have screenplay writers of Ian & Dick’s calibre. We knew they would deliver material that portrays the uncompromising larger than life character, coupled with the humour and drama that was never far away from Barry. At the same time they have their finger on the pulse of 1970s enabling them to make the most and capture this fascinating era as the backdrop to the movie.

“It’s a rush to be making a movie about Barry Sheene, bringing his story and legacy to the big screen. For me it all started growing up with a mum who was a doctor at a racetrack. I latched on to the thrill of speed early on, and nothing has changed. When Barry was thrown into the public eye after his Daytona crash I remember feeling a sense of empathy with this intrepid character and he became a childhood hero of mine. I was fascinated with him and the danger of Grand Prix motorcycle racing, it was a buzz. He was a superstar that transcended his sport, someone we all looked up to and lived our dreams through.”

25 Years of the VFR: Part 1

In the first of our two-part series, originally published in 2011, RiDE takes a look at how close the VFR came to being stillborn

Its various guises it’s been called the most perfect motorcycle ever made; the ideal balance between sportiness and comfort, practicality and fun; and a marvel of engineering that was years ahead of its time when it was launched in 1986. 
Honda’s VFR750 has long since achieved iconic status here in the UK as well as around the world but the story nearly turned out very differently. If it hadn’t been for the determination of one man to race a bike, any bike, at the 1986 Transatlantic Match Races, you wouldn’t be reading this silver anniversary celebration today. 
The then-annual race series pitted a team of American racers against a squad of Brits, with the winning side being that which scored most points over eight races on Easter weekend.
British rider Ron Haslam was contracted to race an Elf Honda in 500cc grands prix that year but, thanks to some behind-the-scenes political wrangling, found himself without a bike for the annual match race series. In what was a huge marketing gamble, Honda UK decided to let Haslam try his luck on their latest machine – the VFR750. According to Haslam, the gamble appeared to backfire straight away. “They supplied me with a tuned version of the VFR but in the first free practice the thing blew up so I was without a bike. I went straight to a local dealers, Granby Motors in Ilkeston, and just picked a VFR straight from the showroom floor, complete with sidestand, indicators, the lot. I took it to Donington and removed as much of the roadgoing equipment as I could, then fitted some tyres from a 250cc race bike because that’s all that would fit. Then I went out and raced.”
Haslam and the plain dark blue VFR, still retaining its pillion seat, were lined up against a grid of full-on racing Superbikes piloted by the likes of future world champions Kevin Schwantz and Fred Merkel. The potential for embarrassment was huge but the gods were on Haslam’s side: it rained and suddenly the playing field, if not quite levelled, at least wasn’t as precipitous as it had been. 
“The VFR felt very slow – it wasn’t even meant to be a sportsbike – but when it rained during the first race it was perfect. I had just enough power that I could use it all and the ground clearance wasn’t as big a problem in the wet because we couldn’t lean over so far anyway.”
Haslam took full advantage of the wet conditions and stunned the paddock, and the wider motorcycling world, by putting the VFR on the podium. “I don’t think I would have gone so well in the dry because the Superbike riders would have been able to put all their power down. The second race was dry and I got away quite well in fourth of fifth place but I slowly dropped back down the field purely because I didn’t have the horsepower and I couldn’t make up for that with my riding because I had everything on the floor as it was, so I simply couldn’t corner any quicker.
“While it may have felt slow compared to a full-on Superbike, as a road bike that VFR was incredible. Even in the dry you could ride it so hard and on its limits, and it still felt really nice. It steered really well and was dead smooth under power.  And I could get a good run out of the corners because I could use all the power while the other guys couldn’t. The handling, the grip, and the overall balance of the VFR, for a road bike, was just incredible. It was a great package.”
Without that podium, the VFR might well have survived for a few years as a modestly selling motorcycle before being replaced by something more sporty and track-focused like Suzuki’s GSX-R750, which had been released in 1985 and still set the benchmark for all the competition to aim at. But Haslam’s inspired ride worked miracles and before the week was out Honda UK’s entire allocation of VFRs had been sold. “Everyone knew it wasn’t a hoax or anything,” Haslam says. “It was a totally standard road bike. And that’s how it happened.”

Final day at Carole Nash MCN London Motorcycle Show

2016 Carole Nash MCN London Motorcycle Show - your last chance to see the Slide show and 20 years of BSB celebration under one roof!

Our 20 years of BSB celebration sees some of the most iconic bikes from the series' past on display, and interviews with BSB legends throughout the day on the BMW Sports and Performance Stage.

The winners of the inaugural London Custom Bike Champhionship will be decied on Sunday, with the overall show winner receiving a cash prize of £3000 as well as vouchers for Harrison Billet and Zodiac International.

The Classic Bike of the Year winner will also be announced on the final day. The ten finalists represent the best classic bikes from around the UK and include a 1946 Indian Chief, 1952 BSA C11 and 1977 Honda CB550.

There will be three Slide shows taking place on the final day; at 11am, 1pm and 4pm. And don't forget you could also pick up a bargain on clothing and accessories in the retail zone.

Tickets are available on the door priced at £21.

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