Issue 104 of Rapid continues to deliver on Rapid’s mantra – if it’s rapid, we’re into it. Phil Tainton Racing’s fire breathing Suzuki GSX-S1000 is on the cover, and what an animal that bike is. If you think you’ve ridden a fast bike before, you haven’t ridden this. Another fire breather is the turbocharged Kawasaki ZRX1200. We have the full story on what it takes to make a bike like this a reality. There’s a number of other modified bikes, including some beastly classic racers, like the Honda 500/4 all the way from the UK, and a Honda CB1100F from NZ. We feature the California Hot Rod, one of the most famous of Ducatis, and chat to Josh Brookes about the behind the scenes of world level racing. For you tech heads out there, we look at a neat fork mod to bring your old forks into the NOW and we start rebuilding an air-cooled Suzuki race engine And Mark McVeigh tells us why the right vision techniques are important to your riding.

Rapid Bikes is renowned for the most cutting-edge, comprehensive comparison tests in the world – covering a full range of tests on the latest naked, hyper and sports bikes as well as a bigger, brighter and more informative custom bike feature. The love of bikes allows this magazine to share with its readers the dedication of passion and obsession of all things on two wheels, from the bikes to the people who build and ride them. Rapid Bikes keeps its readers up to date on industry and custom news, give tips on getting started to high-level coaching with advice from the best in the business. Perfect for any bike enthusiast.

Issue 103 of Rapid continues to deliver on Rapid’s mantra – if it’s rapid, we’re into it. We test the new Thruxton R, Triumph’s sporty retro. What a fantastic bike, all the style of yesteryear but with today’s power and handling. We have a fair crack at Yamaha’s MT-07 and MT-09 nakeds too. There’s a number of modified bikes, including some beastly classic racers, like the Honda Four called ‘The Hulk’. It started life as 750cc, now it’s 1200cc. And you probably thought it couldn’t be done. There’s massive feature length articles on Kel Carruthers, the 1969 250cc world champ who came from Sydney. Ken Lucas is another old timer we visit. His collection of race bikes is pretty much second to none anywhere in the world. For you tech heads out there, we look at what goes into servicing suspension and how to capture that front end feel all riders want. Our resident Isle of Man TT racer is back at it, this time the Classic TT. Find out how he went. Don’t forget to catch up with our regular columnists too.

Ducati 959 Panigale

Harley-Davidson 883

Performance Listing 

Tech Time, Supercharging

MotoGP Wings

Rapid is back!

Issue 101 is the first with new editor, Chris Pickett. We test Kawasaki’s new ZX-10R here in Australia and at Sepang in Malaysia. Harley fans will love the Pro Street Breakout CVO, and there’s a massive Adventure Performance compare between BMW, Ducati and Aprilia’s products. On the modified scene we have an immaculately prepared Suzuki RGB500, built by a racer to replicate another racer’s machine. 

There’s a CBX1000 with lots of modern bits, two stroke Yamaha cafe racers, and a BMW S 1000 RR made to look like a retro endurance racer – very cool. Kar Lee is back with his retake on modern classics, and we look at two young Australian road racers, one preparing for the Isle of Man TT and the other in the World Supersport Championships.

There’s also plenty of technical articles, new columnists, products and even a story on why the GP racers like to wave their legs around so much.

This is a huge issue of Rapid Bikes and celebrates our 100th issue in print, with features on our favourite covers and the best BTLs, My Rides, If Only’s from all 100 issues, and much more. We test the Ducati Diavel Red, Scrambler Classic, Multistrada S and Panigale S, as well as the MV Agusta Dragster and Dragster RR, as well as the Yamaha MT-07 High Output non-LAMS model. Also tested are the Moto Guzzi V7 Stone, Suzuki GSX-S1000 and GSX-S1000F, along with the Aprilia Tuono V4 1000, Yamaha R1M, Kawasaki H2 and BMW S 1000 XR. There’s more bike tests than you can poke a stick at!

In Tweaked we’ve got a wicked TL1000S ‘Racer, as well as a stunning MC Road Runner ‘Fightered Ducati 1098, a Rainey Replica Microproducts YZR500 by Costin Engineering, Big Bore Honda Z50 and a feature on some of the best custom bikes we’ve featured over the years.

This is a huge issue of Rapid Bikes with Aussie road and track tests on the Aprilia RSV4 RR, BMW S 1000 RR and MV Agusta F3 800, a Quick Test on KTM’s LAMS weapon – the RC 390 and the Ducati Scrambler Icon tested. In Used Ride we also have the original Aprilia RSV4, while Tweaked bikes include the Momo Pro Stock dragster, a retro racer GSX1100 and custom Honda CB750 Four. 
This issue we’ve also got a feature on 10 tyres tested over 100,000km and of course all the regulars such as Jeff’s GSX-S1000, Mick Withers’ Project Hayabusa ‘The Short Bus’, Kris’s Triumph Daytona 675R and Heath’s Ducati 1299 Panigale. In the Knee Down track section you’ll find columns by Steve Brouggy, Andrew Pitt, Don Cox and Emma Bailey of EJB Exercise Physiology. And in Getting Started we’ve got a full wrap on the California Superbike School’s Level 1 course.

This is a massive issue of Rapid Bikes with road tests of the new 2015 Yamaha YZF-R1 and Ducati 1299 Panigale and a track test of the Aprilia RSV4 RF. There’s a Quick Test on BMW F 800 R, a full test on the wicked new Yamaha YZF-R3 LAMS offering and we got our hands on the Norton Commando Café Racer. In Tweaked there’s a Confederate X312 Hellcat plus an amazing Drysdale V8, Ducati Desmosedici RR and a stunning Vida Loca Super Motard.

In the Knee Down track section you’ll find columns by Steve Brouggy, Andrew Pitt, Don Cox and Heather Watson with the WSBK wrap. Plus Jeff competes in the Ninja Cup FOB category and there’s an Education feature on the California Superbike School Level 1.

This is a massive issue of Rapid Bikes with the World Launch of the Suzuki GSX-S1000 in Spain, a Quick Test on Yamaha’s wicked MT-09 Tazer, as well as the Aussie 2015 BMW S 1000 RR launch, plus a Used Ride on the original 2010 BMW S 1000 RR! In Tweaked we’ve got features on a German GSX-R1100 Café Custom and naked grunt in the form of a custom GSX1400. Plus the Australian Modified Bike Champion of 2014 – Dave Carroll’s ZX-12R dragbike, and a Racer Test on David Salom’s EVO ZX-10R, tested by Andrew Pitt.

This issue’s Tech Tips covers track tuning with a Woolich Racing Log Box Pro and in Workshop we look at DIY bodywork and paint repairs, while Tech Time answers your questions! There’s an interview with Troy Bayliss on his WSBK rounds this year and all the regulars such as ‘The Short Bus’, Kris’s Daytona 675R, saying goodbye to our 899 Panigale and a new Long Term GSX-S1000. Plus all the regular columns with Ned Shaw, Mark Stenberg and Dave Manning.

In the Knee Down track section you’ll find columns by Steve Brouggy, Bryan Staring, Andrew Pitt, Don Cox and Emma Bailey of EJB Exercise Physiology. Plus ET for your drag racing fix and a Mugello track day feature.

This issue is huge, with a World Launch report on the new 2015 Yamaha YZF-R1, a Quick Test on Ducati’s awesome new Monster 821 and an Old v New feature on the GSX-R750. In Tweaked, we have a wicked ‘Fightered Hayabusa, Honda Harris Four from Germany, as well as a NOS Gixer Thou and KRAVE custom R1. 

In Tech Tips, we add a Ventura rack and bag system to your bike and in Workshop, we talk setting up your shed. We’ve also got a feature on the Benaraby Drags as well as the International Island Classic. Plus all the regulars such as Jeff’s Aprilia RS250, Project Hayabusa ‘The Short Bus’ with Mick Withers and Kris’ Triumph Daytona 675R. There’s a Tyre Test on the Metzeler M7 RRs, including Tech Time, with reader questions answered. We’ve also ET for your drag racing fix and all the regular columns with Ned Shaw, Mark Stenberg and Dave Manning.

In the Knee Down track section you’ll find columns by Steve Brouggy, Andrew Pitt, Don Cox and Emma Bailey of EJB Exercise Physiology. Then in Getting Started, we’ve got a full wrap on Stay Upright’s Advanced 1 Skills course.

We’ve done some research and plenty of listening to our readers and have taken the magazine back to its original focus on performance and technology. We feature an incredible YZF-R1 — the editor’s dream bike — as well as the T-Rex Harris Honda, a stunning CB900 modernised retro, and Andrew Pitt takes Tom Sykes’s factory WSBK Kawasaki ZX-10R for a ride. There are lots of tech tips for the shed time and Roland Brown throws a leg over the new MV Agusta Dragster as well as the hot all-new BMW S 1000 RR. For track fans, we have a feature on lap timing, building a track-day bike, Andrew Pitt’s tips on getting on the gas early, plus lots more great advice from our expert columnists. For those of you after a second-hand ride, we have a full test on the mighty 2005 CBR600RR. There is something for everyone in this issue, which definitely has that old-school vibe.

This is a huge issue of Rapid Bikes, being our yearbook edition, with our eight-way Big Bore Nakedbike Shootout! We’ve put the BMW S 1000 R, KTM Super Duke R, Aprilia Tuono V4 R APRC, Triumph Speed Triple R, EBR 1190SX, Ducati Monster 1200 S, Kawasaki Z1000 and BMW K 1300 R to the test to see which bike comes out top dog in the fun stakes. Plus the launch of Yamaha's awesome new learner weapon - the MT-07.

In custom bikes there's an amazing Honda CBX Cafe Racer with styling to kill for, a stunningly modified Kawasaki ZX-10R with enough titanium for a WSBK machine, as well as a wicked turbo’d Triumph Thunderbird.

This issue Tech Tips looks at HEL Performance's new brake pads, with Workshop continuing the brake overhaul feature, with master-cylinders, lines and pads the focus! Plus we've got a feature on EICMA 2014, where many of 2015's new motorcycles were revealed. And of course all the regulars such as our Long Term Ducati 899, a Project Hayabusa (The Short Bus) with Mick Withers, ET for your drag racing fix and all the regular columns with Ned Shaw, Mark Stenberg and Dave Manning.

In the Knee Down track section you’ll find columns by Steve Brouggy, Andrew Pitt, Bryan Staring and Emma Bailey of EJB Exercise Physiology. We have a full guide on New Zealand's Cemetery Circuit track and annual event. Plus all the latest in our On Track section, covering Australian and international racing!

This is a huge issue of Rapid Bikes with not only our LAMS Nakedbike Comparo, but also our Middleweight Nakedbike Comparo. We’ve put the Ducati 659 Monster, Triumph Street Triple, KTM 390 Duke, Honda CB300F, Benelli BN600LS, CF Moto 650NK and Suzuki Gladius head to head in the LAMS category, while in the Middleweights we’ve got the Aprilia Shiver, Honda CB650F, Ducati 848 Streetfighter, Suzuki GSR750, Yamaha MT-09 and Triumph Street Triple R duking it out.

Plus don’t miss our full report on the wicked EBR 1190SX! In Tweaked we’ve also got a boosted V-Rod, plus a custom Honda CB750 Four!
This issue Tech Tips covers fitting a tank protector to your bike, as well as stripping your calipers and giving them a freshen up! We’ve also got a feature on famous MotoGP commentator Nick Harris. And of course all the regulars such as our Long Term Ducati 899, a new Project Hayabusa with Mick Withers, ET for your drag racing fix and all the regular columns with Ned Shaw, Mark Stenberg and Dave Manning.

In the Knee Down track section you’ll find columns by Steve Brouggy, Andrew Pitt, Bryan Staring and Emma Bailey of EJB Exercise Physiology. We have feature on a Motul in the MotoGP, as well as a Getting Started on Stay Upright – Australia’s oldest rider training organisation. Plus all the latest in our On Track section, covering Australian and international racing!

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Rapid Bikes - Issue 104

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