When the 955i came along, superseding the T509 with its 955cc engine, it was considered pretty cutting edge, with its fuel-injected engine and its 120bhp. It was a man's bike. Big, bulky and brutish it may have been, but under-seat cans and a single-sided swinging arm gave the Speed' the 'edge' that made it stylish as well as substantial. The more I looked at the thing, the more it struck me as a kind of halfway house between the modern and the retro; its aggressive stance wouldn't look out of place in a super naked line-up even today, but its twin round headlights are a real throwback to the days of old. The new Speed's twin headlights, whilst they seem to pay a loose tribute to those of the old bike, look sleek and modern. Conversely, whilst I know the under-seat pipes on the old bike would have been all the rage back in the early naughties, it's like nobody has told the latest Trip' that that kind of thing has long fallen out of vogue - its 2020 for Christ sake.
This story is from the March 2020 edition of Fast Bikes.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Sign In
This story is from the March 2020 edition of Fast Bikes.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
DAN LINFOOT THE WORLD AT HIS FEET...
The racing world is full of characters who generally like to keep themselves to themselves, and I respect that. However, some of these people have a great story to tell. I'm incredibly fortunate to be friends with a few, have access to many more, and through my role with the award-winning podcast Chasin' the Racing, I get to sit down and chew the fat with some amazing individuals, so I wanted to give you lovely bunch a peep through the keyhole and an opportunity to get to know a bit more about some of these 'people of interest'.
ROSSI'S RANCH - LA 100KM DEI CAMPIONI
It's not every day you get the invite to trade paint, drifts and stories with Rossi and a bunch of world champions, but that's how life played out for the Neave twins a few weeks back.
RATING RUBBER...
We love a tyre launch, and especially ones of a sporty disposition. So when Michelin dropped us a line about not one, but two additions to their range, we didn't need our arm twisting to get stuck in and see what they're all about...
2017-2021 SUZUKI GSX-S750
Is the understated Suzuki GSX-S750 worth considering in the used market?
YAMAHA MT-09 - If you like your bikes nutty, naked and packed full of punch, you'll love the fourth-generation Yamaha MT-09.
Ten years ago, I found myself a part of the maddest, baddest, and arguably most illegal motorcycling I've ever a put my name to.
BACK TO THE FUTURE - KTM DUKE 990
It's been a while since KTM last had a 990 Duke in its range, but the name is back - and this new addition is perhaps one of its most exciting offerings ever. Here's why...
A CUT ABOVE
Four years on from the revolutionary release of the RCV-inspired Fireblade, Honda's given its flagship sportsbike a masterpiece of a makeover.
Steve Parrish
I'm fresh back from the South African Classic TT races and Christ, it's still bloody raining over here.
Christian Iddon
Well, my last column was all about just how I'm going to be the most prepared I could ever be for the season ahead.
SHOEI X-SPR PRO
I'll cut to it... when it comes to my kit, I don't mess around - especially when it comes to helmets.