The future’s now
Gabrielle sang a song about dreams coming true, and do you know what, she wasn’t fibbing. After way too many hours, days and years of dreaming, I finally got that golden ticket to sample the delights of Italy’s finest race track: Mugello. And not on some battered C90 with spokes missing, I’ll have you know. Parked up in a pristine garage, packed with factory technicians and enough fresh rubber to keep a porn star happy, stood an audacious-looking winged wonder. Yep, this was my chance to try out Aprilia’s 112bhp Factory Works RSV4 on a circuit crafted by the gods. Let’s just say neither the bike nor the track disappointed, as you’ll know after you’ve read this issue’s report.
The Aprilia’s the latest in a succession of new and exciting propositions that have made an appearance of late, squaring up to the likes of BMW’s HP4 Race, Honda’s RC213V-S and Ducati’s 1299 Superleggera. And there will undoubtedly be more such steeds on the way, as rival brands flex their engineering muscles and throw everything they’ve got into topping the charts for the lightest, fastest and most innovative of motorcycles. But there’s also plenty of good news for financially humble mortals such as myself, as it looks like we’re going to be treated to some far more attainable metal in 2019.
Beej loves a good rumour, and he’s had his ear to the ground to bring us some exciting goss on what’s likely to be headed our way in the near future. He’s even gone as far as to rate each rumour’s reliability, so make sure to check that out as your next bike could be in that mix. But if you’re after something new right now, you’ll find plenty of inspiration in our triples test. We pitched Triumph’s awesome Street Triple RS against Yamaha’s head-banging MT-09SP and MV’s bellissimo Brutale RR, on road and track. What weapons they turned out to be, albeit all very different in character and performance. It’s all there for the absorbing, so take it in and enjoy. It’s been another great month this side of the fence, and we hope yours has been equally epic. Summer’s in full swing, so keep those throttles pinned and get those miles munched. And don’t forget to tell us what you’ve been up to, what you’ve got planned and what you think we should do – we don’t want to waste a minute this season. Last but not least, we’re after some pretty trick bikes to test, just like the 278bhp Spondon we’ve got in this issue. If you’ve got something that’s up our street, don’t be shy.