Best of British: Steph Jeavons
…and I am thinking about changing to a Streetfighter’
GRAHAM BELL
Age 60
Height 5ft 8in Current bike 2018 KTM Super Duke R Been riding 44 years First bike Suzuki AP50 Dream bike MV Agusta F4
“Sportsbikes still really appeal in terms of their performance and looks but the current breed are far too track focused and uncomfortable for me, which is why I made the change in 2016 and bought my first the Super Duke R. I ride bikes a lot, touring and weekend trips away, and my previous S1000RR basically broke me after a long ride. I just didn’t enjoy riding it so it sat in my garage unloved until I got the Super Duke R.
“Super nakeds are brilliant, they have all the good points of a sportsbike but with lovely flat bars and an upright riding position – they are both fun and comfortable!
I’ve done more than 8000 miles so far on my Duke and I love it, however I have recently taken a Ducati Streetfighter for a test ride and that has won me over.
“The Ducati looks amazing, it is purposeful with its wings yet also somehow classy and the sound of the V4 is incredible – a MotoGP bike on the road. During my test ride I just clicked with the Ducati and instantly felt comfortable on it, although I’d add an accessory screen for motorway riding. If you keep the speed below 80mph it is fine and the V4 is so flexible – relaxed and chilled-out at low revs and absolutely bananas when you let it rev. And when I do buy one I’ll get the S, mainly as I loved the semi-active suspension system, which my KTM lacks.”