As somebody who does dyno testing work for a major automotive OEM for a living, I have to say it irks to no end that people don't understand the lengths we go to for accurate dyno figures, anything you do on a chassis dyno is a rough approximation at best, we control inlet air temperature, humidity etc, maintain ambient conditions, lab test our fuels for oxygen carbon and hydrogen ratios, fuel octane, ethanol content etc... measure intake pressure and exhaust backpressure to within a kilopascal just to mention a few of parameters we are looking at, not to mention making sure the results are consistent and repeatable... and people compare that to some random dyno with no environmental controls on a random day with barely any instrumentation... Ha! a few degrees change in inlet air temerature can completely throw the peak horsepower figure off. I would say the manufacturer claimed figures on modern engines that are SAE certified are waaaaay more accurate than anything done outside. Just some perspective for the skeptics out there. Edit for typos
Yeah but that's a world away from what joe public experiences when they take their bike down to a "tuner" who slings their bike on a dyno in a shed and tweaks some maps.
Your talking specifically about completely controlled lab conditions where every variable is measured, In the real world conditions in a rolling road dyno where things arnt as regulated. Plus the same bike model can produce wildly variable hp figures as proven over the years by various magazines...plus real world driving conditions are completely different then lab conditions..thats my take , just my opinion I'm no expert and Don't claim to be...ps in your post you don't specify if your talking about wether you are taking cars or bikes you test,, I presume you test bikes or the post wouldn't really work if you tested cars.
@@paul8161 I think we are in some ways saying the same thing if I am following you correctly, my point is that the only way to compare the horsepower figures of any two engines is to test both of them in controlled conditions in a dyno lab, and the SAE horsepower rating provided by manufacturers is just such a comparison. SAE s a professional organization that certifies these these methods and boundary conditions and certifies the tests. Anything done on a rolling road dyno should not be compared to each other precisely since they can vary wildly. I guess you could call me an expert since I have a masters degree in this and I get paid to do it for a living… LOL not to brag, just giving credence to my opinion here. Also, I test engines, not cars or bikes, and as far as I’m concerned, engines are engines.
@dushyantkarthikeyan I kinda agree,, but unfortunately most people and infact organisations don't have lab facilities to do completely scientific test like your describing, plus as the video mentioned manufacturers take there output figures from the crank and not the rear wheel where the figure will be less as stated in the video..I can't imagine anytime soon garage's and others ripping there dynos out to put different equipment in or having to re do any software or hardware to start measuring from the crank because the outlay for the business doing that would be prohibited to them..but as the video did explain the bike will lose a certain amount by the time it's measured at the rear wheel so the biker should be able to work it out anyway, so not really much of issue. ..and lab conditions are only a guide as there's way to many variables to take into account in real world riding conditions..but thanks for your reply...ps not taking anything away from your qualification but the people in the garage have qualifications to,, they may or may not be at your level but there still professional at the job at its as a controlled environment as the need,, following the rules they set. .its probably alot different working for a manufacturer where you have the latest kit and maybe less time constraints then a garage needing to get people bikes in and out efficiently and accurately.
You are an amazingly honest and humble journalist mate, and that's probably never been said in the history of the world 🤣 Basically you and Chris from BikeWorld are the best of the best and the others just talk crap or humour us
As a 57 yo, 120kg 1m90 bloke I love my S1000XR. Close as it comes to superbike but with comfort and enough protection to ride year round. I understand the computer remark, but when i ride my XR on a januari morning in the dark rain 5deg centigrade, through Brussels rush hour ring trafic, i love al the help available
I went on a Kent Fire Service training day at Brands Hatch- slow group great day but the journalists were let out in our last session- rode like knobs given we were novice level. Not Neevesy but overtaking on the exit of Druids via the matting on the outside was not welcome! It felt quite scary even if they felt it was safe (it felt like they were showing off).
The question at 21:40 ish in the video...Anyone that thinks they can ride a modern bike faster (and more safely) with all the electronics switched off is deluding themselves. It's objectively not true and easily proven by trying to put in some fast laps around a track with and without the aids enabled. Just because electronics are enabled, doesn't mean the bike is riding itself. However, they will allow later and harder braking, and let you crack that throttle earlier without high-siding yourself to the moon and back.
Hello Neevesy! Enjoy watching your content here and on MCN. I will be 61 this June and have been riding though out most of my life. Dirt bikes as a youth and street bikes from then on with a few year hiatus as my kids were growing up (which I regret by the way) wish I had brought them along with me. Anyway, I still enjoy track riding more than any other form. Just wondering how many "old" guys you know that are still at it in their 60's and beyond. I keep fit with 3 or 4 gym sessions a week, try to eat well and still fit into my leathers from 20 years ago lol. I feel I still have quite a few years left in me, still feel like I'm 30. Just wanted to get your thoughts on track riding at mature ages :)
I think the decline of sports bikes and naked and adventure bikes being more popular has to do with practically. More strict road road laws, speed cameras etc. You can have just as much fun powering out of corners at semi legal speeds on mid capacity bikes with good torque available. Also larger displacement sports bikes really never use their full potential on the road, except at the pub car park after a long ride. Having said that I reckon engine configuration has alot to do as well. Why are twins and triples now so popular?.
Amazing video as always, I like your humility when u say you know a' little ' about motorcycles , after a long hard day , watching you talk about tyres , road testing etc is so relaxing , more than a gin and tonic 😂. Nice anecdote about the jittery international reporter who crashed. Keep the videos coming... 😊
Hi Neevesy, great videos, keep them up. I find the reasons mere mortals buy a Superbike interesting, most focus on the power figures and bragging rights about lap times but few focus on the engine sound, bike character or how it makes you feel. All my previous bikes can out-class my riding ability (now mid Inters) but the appeal to me is not going as quickly as the bike is capable, but enjoying the experience and improving as a rider. My motorcycle ownership progression began with a Yamaha TZR125, Suzuki SV650S, Honda VTR Firestorm, Ducati 999, Ducati 1299 to present day where I own both Yamaha R1 (2013) and Ducati Panigale V4 SP2 for road riding and track days. You may notice a trend of V-twins, cross-plane (sounds like a twin) and odd-firing V4 (sounds like a twin). Which bike has given you the biggest smile and has the greatest character?
@@andrewwright6898No. You learn on smaller bikes that don't have it, then when you upgrade to something bigger, you ride as normal and like Neevesy explains, it will never normally kick in on the road if you aren't riding like a dimwit. Or, don't ride a bike without it. A bit like learning to drive an automatic car, don't drive a manual.
Neevesy, you're spot on about electronics. 99%+ of bikers don't have the skill or ability to push any modern sportsbike to the max, it's all just ego - and this moaning about electronics is just flexing nonsense. Most of us probably only push them to about 40% of their actual capability.
Has there ever been a press road test where the an issue with a bike has been found and changed by the manufacture before production? Thinking like the famous Top Gear Koenigsegg when the Stig crashed it and was later released with a rear spoiler as advised...
Great story on the lad binning it at Jerez, although I hope he was alright, just a bruised ego. New bikes are amazing and expensive. Your thoughts please on the best value bike under £10k and over £10k.
Thanks Michael for another brilliant QA video why you are held in such high esteem is there at the end your total honesty and lack of ego means so much in your reviews great work 👍👍👍👍
Hi Neevesy Great content as always 👌 It's nice to listen to your passion for wheelies on any bike. Steering on the back wheel and so on. It would be great if you could make a video on that topic. How to learn best, what to look out for and so on. I know there are a lot of videos out there by other creators but you're a very credible person and a great coach, and I would appreciate your prospect. Best would be if it was combined with demonstrations.(I know it's a lot of time which is often not given) I'm just few years younger than you , i started riding bikes when i was 12, got my first road license at 14, so not lacking experience, but I must say it's a long learning process until someone at our age gets it right. I have started riding a Scorpa SY-250FR trial bike about 4 months ago and i have to say it's the ultimate wheelie machine😅 It wheelies just with the blip of the throttle in 3rd and even 4th gear, no clutch needed at all. So much fun.😊 I ride it nearly every day for about 30 minutes. However i still find it a slow process and I'm very far from doing a proper wheelie on a road bike the way you're mastering it in your videos. I guess ideal is if someone starts in their teens but we cannot go back in time unfortunately.. All the best from OZ.
Excellent episode. Please say there is video of the wave to your fallen nemesis... Answer about electronics on point too! I am no road hero but have not noticed electronic intrusions. Riding on the road only as I do it would feel like a fail to trigger them, just nice to have the security of them incase. Unlike my last bike, my new one has standard adjustment suspension and I just realised from your comment I will miss that rain mode which not only dropped engine power but softened the suspension too. You could literally feel it generating grip. Cheers, keep up the good work.
Thanks for the videos, really enjoyable. However I'd like to level a criticism if I may. Why is it I only find out about the biggest failings of a bike when the new model is introduced and the journalist comments on how the new bike has now fixed the problems with the old model? Keep up the good work 👍👍
Honda's been pretty stagnant in terms of new sport bike releases. They've stuck with the same chassis and engine for years with minor styling updates. Do you think Honda's given up? Is this why they're performing poorly in MotoGP? Or is it even relevant to correlate a manufacturer's products with their racing performance anymore?
Sachs shock vs Ohlins on my Tuono 2011 is 100% vote for the Ohlins. I put the forks in too, but found the Sachs forks almost as good really. I’ve now had that bike since new and no intention of getting rid of it.
@@neevesybikes Michael there's still a great video episode waiting in the wings on your helmet collection and the story behind the paintwork. What do Arai, Shoei and AGV mean to you... PS awesome wall art too!
$10,000 in 1995 is $20,000 in 2024 with inflation. If anything, superbikes have gotten cheaper when accounting for value added / hedonic pricing.(electronics, exotic materials, VTech). BTW a family car is $35K US.
Neevesy, thank you for taking the time to read through all of these comments! What are your thoughts on the brakes on Yamaha's new MT10SP? I had the previous generation FZ10 and while it was one of the most fun bikes I've ever owned, the brakes were incredibly wooden (even after I installed stainless steel lines, a better master cylinder, and better pads). Are the new SP's any better?
Love your videos! Your advice and insight have been worth their weight in gold over the past 1.5 years since I got my license. I've heard you mention that each tire manufacturer has a "personality" that you are able to immediately recognize. Could you explain that in more detail? I am keen to try some new tires for my Street Triple 765 and can't decide between Conti Road Attack 4 and Michelin Power 6s.
Bit late to the party on this one but interestingly enough on the subject of the cost of bikes 44Teeth compared a new R1 to a 2012 R1 and after accounting for inflation there was only £200-300 in it, so to say bikes were cheaper back in the day isnt entirely correct
......the chap talking about power figs was just rude. Don't BMW routinely state max HP lower than tested? Just shows how irrelevant much of this macho bilge is. Great vid. Thanks for the conv.
Another great video. I don't suppose you could badger Joseph to add auto gen captions to the MCN videos, could you? I tend to catch up late at night and use captions so I don't wake everybody up. That, and my hearing is shot to pieces😅
Hello Neevesy! I’m 49, 195cm and 100kg…I have ridden dirt bikes mostly, racing enduros and deserts in Mexico and Utah. I picked up a 2014 S1000R 2 years ago and I love it, I actually fit! What track bike would you recommend if I were to get into that? Cheers and keep up the great content.
Great content. You always have a way of putting things into the correct perspective. What are your thoughts on the new Michelin power 6 ? Am due a change in the next month or two. 👍
At least in the US, track days are more popular than they've ever been. So I don't think it makes sense to say that "club racing is ruining track days". If anything, it's the other way around.
The club racer’s verses track days is just silly. I club raced and helped start a track day organization in the U.S. When we started the track day organization, the club immediately started threatening to pull races from tracks that allowed us to run track days. We were careful to not schedule track days on the club race weekends. Most of our advanced class was full of the club guys testing and getting more practice. The club eventually made good on the threats and ended up with 2 tracks instead of 5. The racers were so pissed that they dropped out of that club. We eventually started our own club racing organization and the old one went belly up. When we were track day only, we constantly got new riders asking where they could race, and we gladly pointed them to the old club. In others words we were sending them new riders, that wouldn’t have gone racing before doing track days. The moral of the story for club racing organizations is to not fight track days, but actually start your own track days to groom street guys to become racers.
Interesting comment about _bumping into the electronics._ Like you, normally I don't _bump into the electronics_ but, on my commuter bike (Deauville NT700) the rear wheel ABS kicks in as I get right to the bottom of a particularly steep hill with a set of traffic lights and a very sharp right hand turn. The rear wheel hasn't _locked-up_ and I haven't done a _stoppie_ it's just the electronics nannying me and cutting in, IMO, before it's needed. Most irritating. Doesn't do it on the FJR. Obviously, the Yamaha is not as sensitive...
As always interesting and educational. - I have a question for the next video. 😊 - Where is the perfect shifting point? For example, the motorbike has 95hp @ 8,250rpm / 64.9 ft @ 6,600rpm. Where do you set shift indicator to maximize its performance for street / track? (If the shifting point has to differ) Thank you!
Hey Michael. My ears perked up when you said that you went to the Michelin tyre launch. I have used and loved the previous generation Power5's, and now I am riding on Bridgestones S22's, which if I'm not mistaken are essentially comparable tyres with Pirelli Rosso 4 or so. However, now I am going more on track, I'm getting better, and my laptimes are coming down somewhat quickly on my 75-horsepowered R7. How much of a difference does going from something like the Power6's to the PowerGP2's in terms of heat management on track? Would the comparable tyres be Bridgestone's RS11's and Rosso Corsa 4? And do I need to start considering tyre blankets including the whole logistics of trailering the bike, paddock stands, and so on? Thank you!!
Yep. When I pasted my test 20 years ago. I was straight on superbikes. I didn't know any better till I got into track days. Now I know , they really belong solely on track. Race fairings only. And a mid weight naked for the road. Just my opinion. 👍
Yes the space for authentic journos appears to be increasingly encrouched by youtubers, a lot of which are from the wealthy middleclass and have been riding for not so long. Watching them 'green laning' on the latest adventure bikes tends to show their lack of history or experience. It reminds me of owners of huge SUVs in their arrogance. TH-cam is awash with ego and self promotion, so thanks to people like you and Chris Northover who are on a different level....
@neevesybikes, thanks for your great videos! Not really on topic, but I'm having trouble understanding what people do to stand up the bike. I've heard people say that you should push the bike up, but if you are at full lean, your outside arm is as extended as it can be without touching the tank. Aren't people using steering to bring the bike up?
Re: "bikes used to be cheaper" - £10000 in 2004 = £19240 in 2024 , however , it's more likely that peoples earnings have not increased in line with inflation and thus we feel relatively poorer .
If the rumors about the 2027 motogp technical rule changes are correct and they go to 850cc engines, do you think Dorna will be inclined to change the WSBK rules? It would seem like a bad marketing decision to allow the possibility of the WSBK bikes to be lapping faster than the motogp bikes, which that larger capacity could allow given how close both classes are currently. Also do you think this will have a knock on effect to consumer bikes? We have already seen Yamaha discontinue the R1 might we see others follow suit as the develop smaller cc bikes for racing? Cheers
Riding 42 years. On reviews/tests... Individual bike tests are fine, but best are multi or even 2 bike head to head tests. Tyre testing absolutely NEEDS to be an independent multi product comparison project. I've never read or viewed a single brand tyre launch junket that's anything but a glorified advertising campaign.
Wow, some amazing questions this video 😅 the first questioning your integrity & the boomer thinking he’s better than electronics. Your composure answering these people is astounding, Neevesey 😁👍🏻
Hi Neevsy , follow up to my earlier comment and a question - in your video you had mentioned that racing at say club level can accelerate one's skills . What all do we require to get into club racing ? Custom bike or a stock bike will do ? Van with tyres and all the related elements, tools etc ? Also I am like yourself a bit on the older side 😂 , will that be an issue ?
We need more tests and better bikes for the A2 class to encourage the youngsters more. Go to any bike meet everybody is 40/65+ years old if nobody concentrates on encouraging younger riders there will be no motorcycling!.
I totally agree, the current crop of bikes aren’t lustworthy. When I was a teenager we lusted and saved for an RGV250 or a KR1, then it was the NC30 or GSXR400 all great bikes to learn on before you got your ZXR750 of GSXR750. Happy days
I saw your review of the 2024 F900GS and your comments on maybe replacing the 'big' GS. I see the big GS like the Range Rover of the bike world - owners like its capabilities but actually never take them off road, just use them for touring. So would you say the 2024 F900GS is the 'thinking person's' choice over the big GS if you have no intention of going off road?
I am different regarding track days and racing. I used to love racing, track days and practice days used to annoy me. I think the adrenaline was missing. I reckon I was an addict….
@@paulhope3401 Go racing, you will find it. Or go and do some aerobatic flying. I have had a pilots license for over 50 years, my wife has never flown in a small aircraft. Sent her up in an Extra 330LX for 30 mins, she was buzzing for a week.
Police cameras are the main reasons why we can't ride sport bikes anymore... I'm actually don't like adventures and nakeds, they are not comfortable above 70 mph.... So bikes like rs660 or vfr , are the sweet spot. After few hours on adventure bike, the back are so sore... Nakeds are good only around the city.....
Micheal-why don’t the Japanese companies make proper high performance Supernakeds like BMW and Ducati do? Wouldn’t Suzuki like to make closer to GSXR money on a GSX-S?
Hey Neevesy, what do you think about the recent news on MV Augusta full acquisition by Pierer Group? What’s the prospect for such an historic company under the austrians? Some say that MV will become the “luxury” brand of KTM with production and design moved to Austria. What’s there to get for KTM?
@@maximborodyuk3773 true but it fundamentally makes them full controllers of the company, of which they already managed: sales network, suppliers, spare parts service, finance and marketing
@@maximborodyuk3773 true, nonetheless this makes them full controllers of the company, of which they already managed: sales network, finance & marketing department, materials suppliers and spare parts service
@@maximborodyuk3773 true but it still makes them full controller of the company, of which they already managed: sales network, supply chain, spare parts service, finance and marketing department
Hello from Greece! First of all I would like to thank you for your riding tips, they helped me a lot to develop as a rider all these years, so my question is, I just sold my 2009 repsol CBR1000rr and now I am between the 1290 superduke evo or the aprilia tuono v4 factory, my two concerns are that I want my wife to be able to sit comfortably, and to visit the racetrack once per year (fast group), I know I am asking about two different worlds to march together 😅 there is a third option the bmw s1000r but it lacks the wow factor, what is your opinion? Thanks in advance!
I am thinking about my next bike. I have a Ninja 650R/ER-6f converted for track duty (ZX6R forks, Race tech shock, clipons, race fairings) but I want to move up in power. I've test ridden various other bikes and like ~600 level power, but I have a hard time getting my head around the smoothness and lack of engine braking from inline 4s compared to my 650's twin thumper. Is that something I'd get used to, or should I look at bigger bikes with 2/3 cylinder engines that feel more like my 650? There's a lot more choice and value with used 4 banger track bikes but it's false economy if I don't enjoy it.
Journalist and politicians try to stand at the public spotlight. They have hard time moving the spot light much. If it moves they move with it and try to stay in it.
hi...I fight with lean angle. At some lean I probably think that bike cant do more, that lean is high, that tire will loose grip, I go into spasm. This is totally wrong because I am at most 35 degree. I go to one riding school which have safety wheels on bike and here I can lean up to 50 in several hours, step by step. How to train for more lean angle on street, my stupid brain simply wont trust bike/tires. How to train brain? Many riders have this problem.
To your point on getting "paid off" as a journalist, I think a lot of you guys have been in the game a long time, have passion and integrity. The issue is with these "influences" and social media types who are mostly after fame and riches so to speak. In another arena, the manufactures are dictating what people can say about there products, and if they don't comply, no test products for you. So it's absolutely a thing.
Exactly. Just look a certain helmet company who are well known for showering any and every TH-camr with samples of their very ordinary helmets and thereby getting much more praise and acclimation than they deserve.
Yep, there is one influencer who 'tested' all the new CFMOTO models last year.... and he rated every single one of them (5 models iirc) as 'best in class'... I know they are good value bikes but for every one of them to be 'best in class' it's near impossible... if he had said 'best value in class' that would be believeable... but yeah, he just destroyed any integrity reputation he might have had.
I have thought the same at times. The you tubers rely on manufacturers loaning them test bikes and without them there wouldn’t be much content so there must be some pressure on them. Having said that I can’t say I’ve noticed it too much and have even heard people say they’ve refused loaners due to conditions being applied to them by the manufacturers. As Neevesy said though there aren’t many bad bikes out there and it’s usually fine margins and individual preferences between bikes.
Adam waheed at motorccyclist is one example of a panderer. Never says anything that can even remotely be construed as mild criticism for a bike. The people know who are on the payroll.
Controversial I know but, I think ‘club racers’ have ruined Trackdays. In the early 2000’s I would do 10 or more Trackdays a year, they were always fun, social and for the most part safe. Now I try to only book road bike trackdays, because otherwise you’re surrounded by racers (or self employed tradersmen) who are willing to bin it on every corner and take you out. I can’t afford to crash physically or financially so ride with a margin for error, but there are so few road bike only Trackdays and as you have said, it’s the very best place to learn how to ride any bike. Beginners need to be able to get on track and learn and old blokes like me need to blow the cobwebs away. How do we return to the safe, fun, social days of old?
This is a very interesting comment. As a trackday virgin and old I would like to try going on track for some gentle fast riding without fear of normal road hazards but daren't step up as I expect them to be full of wannabe, knee/elbow down, ego maniacs on trackday bikes.
The only way to make sports bikes affordable and more orientated to the majority again (rather than aliens) is to decouple them from racing rules. Homoligation rules force manufacturers to make the road bike too extreme and expensive to stay competitive. This creates a vicious cycle of more power, conplication, and cost for each subsequent model. Keep the base bike simple, ban exotic materials in racing (like forged rods and pistons), and let them add race kits to go racing like they used to. Racing would not suffer since great riders will always make a great show (BSB is proof of this). Would this help, or has the horse bolted?
Two sessions is nothing surely. BSB guy is there to test- he’s fastest unless there is another BSB guy there ! It’s all relative, similar to ex racer in fast group at a trackday. I know of an ex racer who does suspension set up. He has a tricked up old R1 and used to go on track days in the fast group. He went round the track a lot quicker , the other fast group participants always thought it was down to his suspension set up and trick parts so paid him to do theirs. But was it? Perhaps it was the price they needed to pay to maintain their dignity!
With all due respect (and I mean that) I lose more and more respect for your opinion regarding superbikes. I appreciate how humble u r and have always considered you the best source of bike reviews available. However, I’m just sick of hearing ur lack of enthusiasm for superbikes on the road. Not doubt you are correct about the availability of more appropriate machines for the road with adequate performance which would make a superbike for the road obsolete. Being part of the apparent “declining breed” who can and does push one to a high level on the road, I feel sorry for anyone who doesn’t know the feeling of doing so. As u would know yourself it is a drug. The faster u get the less u care for how the bike looks and the more u focus on the bike setup tyres etc. that said naked bikes are ugly imo and it is kinda nice to look at your superbike in the shed, even if it is well used and chipped up from riding the arse of other faster riders. My breed, is keeping the fire lit and just remember that when what u consider to be the inevitable does happen u were as much to blame as the rest. If u would like some assistance in giving these marvels of engineering the reviews they rightfully deserve reach out to me. My crew would only be too happy to help out. Who knows, u may actually reminisce about a time when u had a set of balls, a fire shining bright within, and a passion to unite man and machine in a symphony of pure bliss. Not everyone wants to run around in a circle on track, or ride the torque like the lazy, granddaddy u have become. Remember, you weren’t born wise. Learning things like safer lines, trail braking, loading suspension, linear inputs, tyre pressures, suspension set up, delayed apexes, didn’t come from that scooter u run around on.
In fairness mcn we’re giving sportsbike of the year to the fireblade for years when it clearly wasn’t, u were they only magazine , journos doing it at the same time, everyone was saying it
@@neevesybikes in 2017 mcn gave the fireblade as the best sportsbike of the year , wouldn’t of made my top 3 that year , looking back now , do u still think was better than the new gixxer , r1, s1000rr , etc
Track days for me is just to have fun in a safe environment, love the atmosphere. Spending the day with like minded people is very enjoyable, my local circuit is Phillip island and it’s an absolute honour to ride on an international circuit.
I do agree with the person commenting about the most journous changing their opinions or recommendation from on test to the other even though the bikes have not really changed in certain aspects. Like panigale 1199/1299 first being uncomfortable at the early tests but then later on they suddenly are.. like what? I clicked with the panigale from day one. As I did not need too lie stretched out over the fuel tank. And the long distance between the pegs and seat was perfect for the knees. Second example was when u guys testet out the Thruxton r. U guys said it felt like a modern bike with just a stylish classic look, but when I rode it it felt like the old 90s muscle bikes and not at all like a nimble bike say a super duke, MT09/10, triumph street triple/speed triple or similar. Even mine at the time bandit 600 MK2 was a much easier and nimble bike to ride on fun b-roads. So really I can not trust motorcycle journalists at all. /edit, corrected som misspellings now that I am on the pc.
As somebody who does dyno testing work for a major automotive OEM for a living, I have to say it irks to no end that people don't understand the lengths we go to for accurate dyno figures, anything you do on a chassis dyno is a rough approximation at best, we control inlet air temperature, humidity etc, maintain ambient conditions, lab test our fuels for oxygen carbon and hydrogen ratios, fuel octane, ethanol content etc... measure intake pressure and exhaust backpressure to within a kilopascal just to mention a few of parameters we are looking at, not to mention making sure the results are consistent and repeatable... and people compare that to some random dyno with no environmental controls on a random day with barely any instrumentation... Ha! a few degrees change in inlet air temerature can completely throw the peak horsepower figure off. I would say the manufacturer claimed figures on modern engines that are SAE certified are waaaaay more accurate than anything done outside. Just some perspective for the skeptics out there. Edit for typos
Yeah but that's a world away from what joe public experiences when they take their bike down to a "tuner" who slings their bike on a dyno in a shed and tweaks some maps.
Your talking specifically about completely controlled lab conditions where every variable is measured, In the real world conditions in a rolling road dyno where things arnt as regulated. Plus the same bike model can produce wildly variable hp figures as proven over the years by various magazines...plus real world driving conditions are completely different then lab conditions..thats my take , just my opinion I'm no expert and Don't claim to be...ps in your post you don't specify if your talking about wether you are taking cars or bikes you test,, I presume you test bikes or the post wouldn't really work if you tested cars.
@@paul8161 I think we are in some ways saying the same thing if I am following you correctly, my point is that the only way to compare the horsepower figures of any two engines is to test both of them in controlled conditions in a dyno lab, and the SAE horsepower rating provided by manufacturers is just such a comparison. SAE s a professional organization that certifies these these methods and boundary conditions and certifies the tests. Anything done on a rolling road dyno should not be compared to each other precisely since they can vary wildly.
I guess you could call me an expert since I have a masters degree in this and I get paid to do it for a living… LOL not to brag, just giving credence to my opinion here.
Also, I test engines, not cars or bikes, and as far as I’m concerned, engines are engines.
@dushyantkarthikeyan I kinda agree,, but unfortunately most people and infact organisations don't have lab facilities to do completely scientific test like your describing, plus as the video mentioned manufacturers take there output figures from the crank and not the rear wheel where the figure will be less as stated in the video..I can't imagine anytime soon garage's and others ripping there dynos out to put different equipment in or having to re do any software or hardware to start measuring from the crank because the outlay for the business doing that would be prohibited to them..but as the video did explain the bike will lose a certain amount by the time it's measured at the rear wheel so the biker should be able to work it out anyway, so not really much of issue. ..and lab conditions are only a guide as there's way to many variables to take into account in real world riding conditions..but thanks for your reply...ps not taking anything away from your qualification but the people in the garage have qualifications to,, they may or may not be at your level but there still professional at the job at its as a controlled environment as the need,, following the rules they set. .its probably alot different working for a manufacturer where you have the latest kit and maybe less time constraints then a garage needing to get people bikes in and out efficiently and accurately.
16k subscribers?? Come on guys....support this guy!! Go neevesy 🏍👊
You are an amazingly honest and humble journalist mate, and that's probably never been said in the history of the world 🤣 Basically you and Chris from BikeWorld are the best of the best and the others just talk crap or humour us
Waving at the crasher- LMAO.
As a 57 yo, 120kg 1m90 bloke I love my S1000XR. Close as it comes to superbike but with comfort and enough protection to ride year round.
I understand the computer remark, but when i ride my XR on a januari morning in the dark rain 5deg centigrade, through Brussels rush hour ring trafic, i love al the help available
And some journos went a bit quick on that blade launch.....Bruce 😂
Hilarious that one of the testers at the Blade launch was the Marquez to your Rossi 😂
Who was the international rider who crashed? Spill the beans!
At least tell us what he was wearing so we can look out for him on the video!
Great story. 😂
It must have been a Turkish or Greek journalist 😂
They are often overenthusiastic thinking they are Toprak haha..
I went on a Kent Fire Service training day at Brands Hatch- slow group great day but the journalists were let out in our last session- rode like knobs given we were novice level. Not Neevesy but overtaking on the exit of Druids via the matting on the outside was not welcome! It felt quite scary even if they felt it was safe (it felt like they were showing off).
Best beginning of a week! Cheers Neevesy!
The question at 21:40 ish in the video...Anyone that thinks they can ride a modern bike faster (and more safely) with all the electronics switched off is deluding themselves. It's objectively not true and easily proven by trying to put in some fast laps around a track with and without the aids enabled. Just because electronics are enabled, doesn't mean the bike is riding itself. However, they will allow later and harder braking, and let you crack that throttle earlier without high-siding yourself to the moon and back.
Yeah but their ego gets in the way 😂
Electronics bad.... potato rider good 😂😂😂
Hello Neevesy! Enjoy watching your content here and on MCN. I will be 61 this June and have been riding though out most of my life. Dirt bikes as a youth and street bikes from then on with a few year hiatus as my kids were growing up (which I regret by the way) wish I had brought them along with me. Anyway, I still enjoy track riding more than any other form. Just wondering how many "old" guys you know that are still at it in their 60's and beyond. I keep fit with 3 or 4 gym sessions a week, try to eat well and still fit into my leathers from 20 years ago lol. I feel I still have quite a few years left in me, still feel like I'm 30. Just wanted to get your thoughts on track riding at mature ages :)
Always look forward to the Monday mornings it’s now when I get to Listen to these vids , almost like a mini podcast
I think the decline of sports bikes and naked and adventure bikes being more popular has to do with practically. More strict road road laws, speed cameras etc. You can have just as much fun powering out of corners at semi legal speeds on mid capacity bikes with good torque available. Also larger displacement sports bikes really never use their full potential on the road, except at the pub car park after a long ride. Having said that I reckon engine configuration has alot to do as well. Why are twins and triples now so popular?.
Bikes, like cars, have far outstripped inflation.
Amazing video as always, I like your humility when u say you know a' little ' about motorcycles , after a long hard day , watching you talk about tyres , road testing etc is so relaxing , more than a gin and tonic 😂. Nice anecdote about the jittery international reporter who crashed. Keep the videos coming... 😊
Hi Neevesy, great videos, keep them up. I find the reasons mere mortals buy a Superbike interesting, most focus on the power figures and bragging rights about lap times but few focus on the engine sound, bike character or how it makes you feel. All my previous bikes can out-class my riding ability (now mid Inters) but the appeal to me is not going as quickly as the bike is capable, but enjoying the experience and improving as a rider. My motorcycle ownership progression began with a Yamaha TZR125, Suzuki SV650S, Honda VTR Firestorm, Ducati 999, Ducati 1299 to present day where I own both Yamaha R1 (2013) and Ducati Panigale V4 SP2 for road riding and track days. You may notice a trend of V-twins, cross-plane (sounds like a twin) and odd-firing V4 (sounds like a twin). Which bike has given you the biggest smile and has the greatest character?
You're a good guy, and it shines out.
Great answer about electronics Neevesy. Better to have them and not use them than not.
No. If all you know is traction control, how do you ride if there is no traction control??
@@andrewwright6898No. You learn on smaller bikes that don't have it, then when you upgrade to something bigger, you ride as normal and like Neevesy explains, it will never normally kick in on the road if you aren't riding like a dimwit. Or, don't ride a bike without it. A bit like learning to drive an automatic car, don't drive a manual.
Neevesy, you're spot on about electronics. 99%+ of bikers don't have the skill or ability to push any modern sportsbike to the max, it's all just ego - and this moaning about electronics is just flexing nonsense. Most of us probably only push them to about 40% of their actual capability.
Learninig lots from this series. Thank you!
Has there ever been a press road test where the an issue with a bike has been found and changed by the manufacture before production?
Thinking like the famous Top Gear Koenigsegg when the Stig crashed it and was later released with a rear spoiler as advised...
Would love a video about the 20th anniversary k5, ive got the 600 and i absolutely love it
Great story on the lad binning it at Jerez, although I hope he was alright, just a bruised ego.
New bikes are amazing and expensive. Your thoughts please on the best value bike under £10k and over £10k.
Great episode as usual
Is that the new Alpinestars Supertech R10 helmet Michael? Thanks for the video!
Went too quickly ! Always a pleasure to have your videos land in the 'inbox ' 👍🏻🍻
Great insight as always. Thanks.
Thanks Michael for another brilliant QA video why you are held in such high esteem is there at the end your total honesty and lack of ego means so much in your reviews great work 👍👍👍👍
Hi Neevesy
Great content as always 👌
It's nice to listen to your passion for wheelies on any bike.
Steering on the back wheel and so on.
It would be great if you could make a video on that topic.
How to learn best, what to look out for and so on. I know there are a lot of videos out there by other creators but you're a very credible person and a great coach, and I would appreciate your prospect. Best would be if it was combined with demonstrations.(I know it's a lot of time which is often not given)
I'm just few years younger than you , i started riding bikes when i was 12, got my first road license at 14, so not lacking experience, but I must say it's a long learning process until someone at our age gets it right.
I have started riding a Scorpa SY-250FR trial bike about 4 months ago and i have to say it's the ultimate wheelie machine😅
It wheelies just with the blip of the throttle in 3rd and even 4th gear, no clutch needed at all.
So much fun.😊
I ride it nearly every day for about 30 minutes.
However i still find it a slow process and I'm very far from doing a proper wheelie on a road bike the way you're mastering it in your videos.
I guess ideal is if someone starts in their teens but we cannot go back in time unfortunately..
All the best from OZ.
Excellent episode. Please say there is video of the wave to your fallen nemesis... Answer about electronics on point too! I am no road hero but have not noticed electronic intrusions. Riding on the road only as I do it would feel like a fail to trigger them, just nice to have the security of them incase. Unlike my last bike, my new one has standard adjustment suspension and I just realised from your comment I will miss that rain mode which not only dropped engine power but softened the suspension too. You could literally feel it generating grip. Cheers, keep up the good work.
Thanks for the videos, really enjoyable. However I'd like to level a criticism if I may. Why is it I only find out about the biggest failings of a bike when the new model is introduced and the journalist comments on how the new bike has now fixed the problems with the old model? Keep up the good work 👍👍
Honda's been pretty stagnant in terms of new sport bike releases. They've stuck with the same chassis and engine for years with minor styling updates. Do you think Honda's given up? Is this why they're performing poorly in MotoGP? Or is it even relevant to correlate a manufacturer's products with their racing performance anymore?
Sachs shock vs Ohlins on my Tuono 2011 is 100% vote for the Ohlins. I put the forks in too, but found the Sachs forks almost as good really. I’ve now had that bike since new and no intention of getting rid of it.
I have an Interceptor 1000 from 1984. Sure do wish Honda would build a new version
Would love to see all the journo’s on the F900’s for a round
I noticed on your Helmet rack you have a Lawson Rothmans Colours Shoei GRV. I used to have one of these, was my favourite Helmet of all time
Great minds 😊👍
@@neevesybikes Michael there's still a great video episode waiting in the wings on your helmet collection and the story behind the paintwork. What do Arai, Shoei and AGV mean to you...
PS awesome wall art too!
Lots to digest in this Michael, great video and great questions!
How people still don’t understand crank horsepower (which every manufacturer uses for their claim) vs wheel horsepower, I will never know.
$10,000 in 1995 is $20,000 in 2024 with inflation. If anything, superbikes have gotten cheaper when accounting for value added / hedonic pricing.(electronics, exotic materials, VTech). BTW a family car is $35K US.
Neevesy, thank you for taking the time to read through all of these comments! What are your thoughts on the brakes on Yamaha's new MT10SP? I had the previous generation FZ10 and while it was one of the most fun bikes I've ever owned, the brakes were incredibly wooden (even after I installed stainless steel lines, a better master cylinder, and better pads). Are the new SP's any better?
I bought a 2009 fireblade specifically because there are no electronic aids
Another great video Michael.
These vids are the best start to the week👍👍🙌
Great Question and answer video. Just subscribed. Always a pleasure listening to you.
Another great episode mate , always quality and varied content 👍🏽😎
Love your videos! Your advice and insight have been worth their weight in gold over the past 1.5 years since I got my license.
I've heard you mention that each tire manufacturer has a "personality" that you are able to immediately recognize. Could you explain that in more detail? I am keen to try some new tires for my Street Triple 765 and can't decide between Conti Road Attack 4 and Michelin Power 6s.
Bit late to the party on this one but interestingly enough on the subject of the cost of bikes 44Teeth compared a new R1 to a 2012 R1 and after accounting for inflation there was only £200-300 in it, so to say bikes were cheaper back in the day isnt entirely correct
......the chap talking about power figs was just rude. Don't BMW routinely state max HP lower than tested? Just shows how irrelevant much of this macho bilge is. Great vid. Thanks for the conv.
Another great video. I don't suppose you could badger Joseph to add auto gen captions to the MCN videos, could you? I tend to catch up late at night and use captions so I don't wake everybody up. That, and my hearing is shot to pieces😅
Use earphones mate 👍 game changer
@@rwinter1376 We obviously have partners with different hearing abilities. 'I can still hear those bikes revving'😂
Again... A great episode... 👍👍👍
Hello Neevesy!
I’m 49, 195cm and 100kg…I have ridden dirt bikes mostly, racing enduros and deserts in Mexico and Utah. I picked up a 2014 S1000R 2 years ago and I love it, I actually fit! What track bike would you recommend if I were to get into that? Cheers and keep up the great content.
Great content. You always have a way of putting things into the correct perspective. What are your thoughts on the new Michelin power 6 ? Am due a change in the next month or two. 👍
Hi mate. There should be a review in the paper and online soon...
At least in the US, track days are more popular than they've ever been. So I don't think it makes sense to say that "club racing is ruining track days". If anything, it's the other way around.
The club racer’s verses track days is just silly. I club raced and helped start a track day organization in the U.S. When we started the track day organization, the club immediately started threatening to pull races from tracks that allowed us to run track days. We were careful to not schedule track days on the club race weekends. Most of our advanced class was full of the club guys testing and getting more practice. The club eventually made good on the threats and ended up with 2 tracks instead of 5. The racers were so pissed that they dropped out of that club. We eventually started our own club racing organization and the old one went belly up. When we were track day only, we constantly got new riders asking where they could race, and we gladly pointed them to the old club. In others words we were sending them new riders, that wouldn’t have gone racing before doing track days. The moral of the story for club racing organizations is to not fight track days, but actually start your own track days to groom street guys to become racers.
I notice the alpinestar r10 helmet behind you. How is it? Tell us more
Interesting comment about _bumping into the electronics._ Like you, normally I don't _bump into the electronics_ but, on my commuter bike (Deauville NT700) the rear wheel ABS kicks in as I get right to the bottom of a particularly steep hill with a set of traffic lights and a very sharp right hand turn. The rear wheel hasn't _locked-up_ and I haven't done a _stoppie_ it's just the electronics nannying me and cutting in, IMO, before it's needed. Most irritating. Doesn't do it on the FJR. Obviously, the Yamaha is not as sensitive...
As always interesting and educational.
- I have a question for the next video. 😊
- Where is the perfect shifting point? For example, the motorbike has 95hp @ 8,250rpm / 64.9 ft @ 6,600rpm. Where do you set shift indicator to maximize its performance for street / track? (If the shifting point has to differ)
Thank you!
Hey Michael. My ears perked up when you said that you went to the Michelin tyre launch. I have used and loved the previous generation Power5's, and now I am riding on Bridgestones S22's, which if I'm not mistaken are essentially comparable tyres with Pirelli Rosso 4 or so. However, now I am going more on track, I'm getting better, and my laptimes are coming down somewhat quickly on my 75-horsepowered R7. How much of a difference does going from something like the Power6's to the PowerGP2's in terms of heat management on track? Would the comparable tyres be Bridgestone's RS11's and Rosso Corsa 4? And do I need to start considering tyre blankets including the whole logistics of trailering the bike, paddock stands, and so on? Thank you!!
Yep. When I pasted my test 20 years ago. I was straight on superbikes. I didn't know any better till I got into track days. Now I know , they really belong solely on track. Race fairings only. And a mid weight naked for the road. Just my opinion. 👍
It just reminded me hearing you talk about Tommy Bridewell and Al Fagan - what’s your favourite cheese?
Yes the space for authentic journos appears to be increasingly encrouched by youtubers, a lot of which are from the wealthy middleclass and have been riding for not so long. Watching them 'green laning' on the latest adventure bikes tends to show their lack of history or experience. It reminds me of owners of huge SUVs in their arrogance. TH-cam is awash with ego and self promotion, so thanks to people like you and Chris Northover who are on a different level....
God bless ya!
@neevesybikes, thanks for your great videos! Not really on topic, but I'm having trouble understanding what people do to stand up the bike. I've heard people say that you should push the bike up, but if you are at full lean, your outside arm is as extended as it can be without touching the tank. Aren't people using steering to bring the bike up?
Re: "bikes used to be cheaper" - £10000 in 2004 = £19240 in 2024 , however , it's more likely that peoples earnings have not increased in line with inflation and thus we feel relatively poorer .
If the rumors about the 2027 motogp technical rule changes are correct and they go to 850cc engines, do you think Dorna will be inclined to change the WSBK rules?
It would seem like a bad marketing decision to allow the possibility of the WSBK bikes to be lapping faster than the motogp bikes, which that larger capacity could allow given how close both classes are currently.
Also do you think this will have a knock on effect to consumer bikes? We have already seen Yamaha discontinue the R1 might we see others follow suit as the develop smaller cc bikes for racing?
Cheers
Riding 42 years. On reviews/tests... Individual bike tests are fine, but best are multi or even 2 bike head to head tests. Tyre testing absolutely NEEDS to be an independent multi product comparison project. I've never read or viewed a single brand tyre launch junket that's anything but a glorified advertising campaign.
Wow, some amazing questions this video 😅 the first questioning your integrity & the boomer thinking he’s better than electronics.
Your composure answering these people is astounding, Neevesey 😁👍🏻
Another great video
Hi Neevsy , follow up to my earlier comment and a question - in your video you had mentioned that racing at say club level can accelerate one's skills . What all do we require to get into club racing ? Custom bike or a stock bike will do ? Van with tyres and all the related elements, tools etc ? Also I am like yourself a bit on the older side 😂 , will that be an issue ?
We need more tests and better bikes for the A2 class to encourage the youngsters more. Go to any bike meet everybody is 40/65+ years old if nobody concentrates on encouraging younger riders there will be no motorcycling!.
I totally agree, the current crop of bikes aren’t lustworthy. When I was a teenager we lusted and saved for an RGV250 or a KR1, then it was the NC30 or GSXR400 all great bikes to learn on before you got your ZXR750 of GSXR750. Happy days
I saw your review of the 2024 F900GS and your comments on maybe replacing the 'big' GS. I see the big GS like the Range Rover of the bike world - owners like its capabilities but actually never take them off road, just use them for touring. So would you say the 2024 F900GS is the 'thinking person's' choice over the big GS if you have no intention of going off road?
Insurance is killing sport bikes in Canada.
I am different regarding track days and racing. I used to love racing, track days and practice days used to annoy me. I think the adrenaline was missing. I reckon I was an addict….
Interesting, sounds like it... adrenaline is one hell of a drug.
@@paulhope3401 Go racing, you will find it. Or go and do some aerobatic flying. I have had a pilots license for over 50 years, my wife has never flown in a small aircraft. Sent her up in an Extra 330LX for 30 mins, she was buzzing for a week.
Police cameras are the main reasons why we can't ride sport bikes anymore...
I'm actually don't like adventures and nakeds, they are not comfortable above 70 mph....
So bikes like rs660 or vfr , are the sweet spot.
After few hours on adventure bike, the back are so sore...
Nakeds are good only around the city.....
Micheal-why don’t the Japanese companies make proper high performance Supernakeds like BMW and Ducati do? Wouldn’t Suzuki like to make closer to GSXR money on a GSX-S?
I will visit England soon i love the uk 🇬🇧
..PS.. I think Triumph's are accurate real world rear wheel dyno figures.
Hey Neevesy, what do you think about the recent news on MV Augusta full acquisition by Pierer Group? What’s the prospect for such an historic company under the austrians? Some say that MV will become the “luxury” brand of KTM with production and design moved to Austria. What’s there to get for KTM?
it.s 50.1%, not full
@@maximborodyuk3773 true but it fundamentally makes them full controllers of the company, of which they already managed: sales network, suppliers, spare parts service, finance and marketing
I hope they don't start releasing some rebranded CFmoto bikes under the MV brand
@@maximborodyuk3773 true, nonetheless this makes them full controllers of the company, of which they already managed: sales network, finance & marketing department, materials suppliers and spare parts service
@@maximborodyuk3773 true but it still makes them full controller of the company, of which they already managed: sales network, supply chain, spare parts service, finance and marketing department
Hello from Greece! First of all I would like to thank you for your riding tips, they helped me a lot to develop as a rider all these years, so my question is, I just sold my 2009 repsol CBR1000rr and now I am between the 1290 superduke evo or the aprilia tuono v4 factory, my two concerns are that I want my wife to be able to sit comfortably, and to visit the racetrack once per year (fast group), I know I am asking about two different worlds to march together 😅 there is a third option the bmw s1000r but it lacks the wow factor, what is your opinion?
Thanks in advance!
I am thinking about my next bike. I have a Ninja 650R/ER-6f converted for track duty (ZX6R forks, Race tech shock, clipons, race fairings) but I want to move up in power. I've test ridden various other bikes and like ~600 level power, but I have a hard time getting my head around the smoothness and lack of engine braking from inline 4s compared to my 650's twin thumper. Is that something I'd get used to, or should I look at bigger bikes with 2/3 cylinder engines that feel more like my 650? There's a lot more choice and value with used 4 banger track bikes but it's false economy if I don't enjoy it.
Where are people posting the questions for these Q&A's?
And if I want to post a question, how do I know what topic to ask about?
Hi mate. Just leave a question in the comments section of any video and I'll find it.
@@neevesybikes thank you
👍
Mate we all always "get this far in the video". All too quickly aswell. 👍
Journalist and politicians try to stand at the public spotlight. They have hard time moving the spot light much. If it moves they move with it and try to stay in it.
hi...I fight with lean angle. At some lean I probably think that bike cant do more, that lean is high, that tire will loose grip, I go into spasm. This is totally wrong because I am at most 35 degree. I go to one riding school which have safety wheels on bike and here I can lean up to 50 in several hours, step by step. How to train for more lean angle on street, my stupid brain simply wont trust bike/tires. How to train brain? Many riders have this problem.
what do you think of the zh2 as a road bike ?
To your point on getting "paid off" as a journalist, I think a lot of you guys have been in the game a long time, have passion and integrity.
The issue is with these "influences" and social media types who are mostly after fame and riches so to speak.
In another arena, the manufactures are dictating what people can say about there products, and if they don't comply, no test products for you.
So it's absolutely a thing.
Exactly. Just look a certain helmet company who are well known for showering any and every TH-camr with samples of their very ordinary helmets and thereby getting much more praise and acclimation than they deserve.
Yep, there is one influencer who 'tested' all the new CFMOTO models last year.... and he rated every single one of them (5 models iirc) as 'best in class'...
I know they are good value bikes but for every one of them to be 'best in class' it's near impossible... if he had said 'best value in class' that would be believeable... but yeah, he just destroyed any integrity reputation he might have had.
I have thought the same at times. The you tubers rely on manufacturers loaning them test bikes and without them there wouldn’t be much content so there must be some pressure on them. Having said that I can’t say I’ve noticed it too much and have even heard people say they’ve refused loaners due to conditions being applied to them by the manufacturers. As Neevesy said though there aren’t many bad bikes out there and it’s usually fine margins and individual preferences between bikes.
MN makes common sense entertaining. That's clever.
Top G 🥶
Adam waheed at motorccyclist is one example of a panderer. Never says anything that can even remotely be construed as mild criticism for a bike. The people know who are on the payroll.
Controversial I know but, I think ‘club racers’ have ruined Trackdays. In the early 2000’s I would do 10 or more Trackdays a year, they were always fun, social and for the most part safe. Now I try to only book road bike trackdays, because otherwise you’re surrounded by racers (or self employed tradersmen) who are willing to bin it on every corner and take you out. I can’t afford to crash physically or financially so ride with a margin for error, but there are so few road bike only Trackdays and as you have said, it’s the very best place to learn how to ride any bike. Beginners need to be able to get on track and learn and old blokes like me need to blow the cobwebs away. How do we return to the safe, fun, social days of old?
This is a very interesting comment. As a trackday virgin and old I would like to try going on track for some gentle fast riding without fear of normal road hazards but daren't step up as I expect them to be full of wannabe, knee/elbow down, ego maniacs on trackday bikes.
The only way to make sports bikes affordable and more orientated to the majority again (rather than aliens) is to decouple them from racing rules. Homoligation rules force manufacturers to make the road bike too extreme and expensive to stay competitive. This creates a vicious cycle of more power, conplication, and cost for each subsequent model. Keep the base bike simple, ban exotic materials in racing (like forged rods and pistons), and let them add race kits to go racing like they used to. Racing would not suffer since great riders will always make a great show (BSB is proof of this). Would this help, or has the horse bolted?
Two sessions is nothing surely. BSB guy is there to test- he’s fastest unless there is another BSB guy there ! It’s all relative, similar to ex racer in fast group at a trackday.
I know of an ex racer who does suspension set up. He has a tricked up old R1 and used to go on track days in the fast group. He went round the track a lot quicker , the other fast group participants always thought it was down to his suspension set up and trick parts so paid him to do theirs. But was it?
Perhaps it was the price they needed to pay to maintain their dignity!
With all due respect (and I mean that) I lose more and more respect for your opinion regarding superbikes.
I appreciate how humble u r and have always considered you the best source of bike reviews available.
However, I’m just sick of hearing ur lack of enthusiasm for superbikes on the road. Not doubt you are correct about the availability of more appropriate machines for the road with adequate performance which would make a superbike for the road obsolete.
Being part of the apparent “declining breed” who can and does push one to a high level on the road, I feel sorry for anyone who doesn’t know the feeling of doing so. As u would know yourself it is a drug.
The faster u get the less u care for how the bike looks and the more u focus on the bike setup tyres etc. that said naked bikes are ugly imo and it is kinda nice to look at your superbike in the shed, even if it is well used and chipped up from riding the arse of other faster riders.
My breed, is keeping the fire lit and just remember that when what u consider to be the inevitable does happen u were as much to blame as the rest.
If u would like some assistance in giving these marvels of engineering the reviews they rightfully deserve reach out to me. My crew would only be too happy to help out.
Who knows, u may actually reminisce about a time when u had a set of balls, a fire shining bright within, and a passion to unite man and machine in a symphony of pure bliss.
Not everyone wants to run around in a circle on track, or ride the torque like the lazy, granddaddy u have become.
Remember, you weren’t born wise. Learning things like safer lines, trail braking, loading suspension, linear inputs, tyre pressures, suspension set up, delayed apexes, didn’t come from that scooter u run around on.
I thought u did have a porsche 911
I did back in the day, but not since I’ve been at MCN 😊
👍
In fairness mcn we’re giving sportsbike of the year to the fireblade for years when it clearly wasn’t, u were they only magazine , journos doing it at the same time, everyone was saying it
Lots of us had different opinions. We didn’t have the same problems as others…even the Haslam School Blades were really good 😊👍
@@neevesybikes in 2017 mcn gave the fireblade as the best sportsbike of the year , wouldn’t of made my top 3 that year , looking back now , do u still think was better than the new gixxer , r1, s1000rr , etc
Track days for me is just to have fun in a safe environment, love the atmosphere. Spending the day with like minded people is very enjoyable, my local circuit is Phillip island and it’s an absolute honour to ride on an international circuit.
😊
I do agree with the person commenting about the most journous changing their opinions or recommendation from on test to the other even though the bikes have not really changed in certain aspects. Like panigale 1199/1299 first being uncomfortable at the early tests but then later on they suddenly are.. like what? I clicked with the panigale from day one. As I did not need too lie stretched out over the fuel tank. And the long distance between the pegs and seat was perfect for the knees.
Second example was when u guys testet out the Thruxton r. U guys said it felt like a modern bike with just a stylish classic look, but when I rode it it felt like the old 90s muscle bikes and not at all like a nimble bike say a super duke, MT09/10, triumph street triple/speed triple or similar. Even mine at the time bandit 600 MK2 was a much easier and nimble bike to ride on fun b-roads. So really I can not trust motorcycle journalists at all.
/edit, corrected som misspellings now that I am on the pc.
I refuse to accept that a GSX-R750 or a C6 z51 corvette cannot be fully enjoyed to its limits on the road, unless of course you mean legally.
Are these questions written by 14 year olds?