FOUR BY NORTH WEST

WELCOME

The Year Begins Here

THAT’S THE SPIRIT!

New British brand, Spirit Motorcycles, launched two stunning MotoGP inspired motorcycles last month (plus R versions) – and we went along for the big reveal…

2017 HONDA FIREBLADE AND SUZUKI GSX-R1000

The Eicma show in Milan was an opportunity to quiz the men behind the biggest machines of 2017 – the Fireblade’s designer, Masatoshi Sato, and Shinichi Sahara, who is responsible for the new Suzuki GSX-R1000. They both offered a fascinating insight into the machinations behind the new bikes – and a glimpse into what we could expect fromboth machines in 2017…

ARMOUR

we remember a time when there wasn t a great deal of

THE BEAST IS BACK

Chastened by criticismthat the 1290 Super Duke R been castrated by electronicsand a cuddly soft setup, the Austrians have hit back – big time…

YAMAHA MT-09

It may seem like just five minutes ago that Yamaha launched an updated MT-09, but Yamaha doesn’t stand still – so here’s another!

PARALLEL LIVES

So does the new Kawasaki Z650 off er the perfect combination of easy-to-ride intensity, as the company claims?-We went along to the bike’s launch in Spain to find out more…

IN THE AUTUMN OF THERE LIVES

Remember when these machines ruled the roads? Long since knocked off their thrones, do the Suzuki Hayabusa and Kawasaki ZZR1400 still offer any relevance?

Suzuki Hayabusa

When the technician wheeled the ’Busa out of its bay

Kawasaki ZZR1400 Performance Sport

The days of whizzing round the massive Nardo test ring

Conclusion

The fact that there are no competitors to these two

SHUTTLE DIPLOMACY

A trip to the Alps usually begins with a ferry - not a shuttle - but this adventure was going to be a little bit special…

A TRIAL OF ENDURANCE

Mossymakes it to the Bol D’Or, a 2,000 mile round trip, to get hammered, watch bikes and talk shite for 24 hours!

YAMAHA YZF-R1

What finer use of a crash damaged 2000-spec Yamaha YZF-R1 than to turn it into a tribute of the superbike racer of the time – the magnificent Yamaha YZF-R7

THE WINTER OF OUR CONTENT

Bikes needn’t take a backseat for the next few months. Head off road and you’ll keep bike sharp all the way through to your next trackday…

FIT FOR A (FUTURE) KING

Triumph’s final foray into the inline four supersport world was – and still is – actually a bit of a cracker…

RACE SPEC

Sorting a supersport bike out to within an inch of its life offers you the opportunity to experience a four stroke machine in its purest form. Once you’ve rebuilt it, that is…

WIDE-VIEWAWARENESS

We watch racing on the telly in widescreen, and that’s what we need to do when riding!

DEEP DOWN DAMAGE

You’ve fixed up your fairings after a spill, but what about more serious damage?

CARAVAN OF LOVE?

When someone pulls out in front of you, after they’ve been told not to, who can you point the finger at for some legal redress?

Chatter

Hello folks. I have a question. Why no coverage for

Travel&Tracks

The roads above Nice and Monaco are well travelled

KAWASAKI ZX-10R

THIS MONTH I HAVE MOSTLY BEEN… “Getting ready to part

YAMAHA MT-10

THIS MONTH I HAVE MOSTLY BEEN… “Wondering how long

TRIUMPH SPEED TRIPLE R

THIS MONTH I HAVE MOSTLY BEEN… “Fixing my roof and

SUZUKI GSX-S1000F

It’s been a bizarre winter so far. Arctic climes followed

WORLD SUPER CHANGE

Seeing as Dorna is more than willing to throw wacky ideas in WSB’s direction, get your mince pies around FB’s idea for the series. Dorna can thank us later…

A CHIP OFF THE OLD BLOCK

Taylor Mackenzie has endured a difficult few years of racing before his 2016 championship success. Let’s see what makes the young man tick!

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Dangerous Brod Wilson

There’s something comforting about dirt. Ironically

Gary Johnson

Let me give you some advice. If you’re ever out with

Chaz Davies

Hola amigos, cómo estás? Yep, I’m back in Spain (well

Steve Parrish

EX-RACER & TEAM MANAGER RACE INSIDER