Ridden: The world’s baddest R1

Riding someone else’s bike is always something of a responsibility. But when it’s a £20,000 R1 that makes 159bhp, that’s been hand built by one of the best engine men in the business – in the damp – that’s something else altogether. Read what it’s like to ride the world’s baddest R1 in the new MCN, out Wednesday.

The bike in question is a rolling showcase for tuning specialists Harris Performance. With years of race experience to draw on, and reams of data from teams like Virgin Yamaha , for who they prepare BSB R1s, the Hertford-based firm has all the ingredients to cook the hottest R1.

We had MCN’s Keith Farr and racer Paul Chance put it though its paces on the road and on the track. Chance reckons: ” You could finish in the top five in a club race on this and still take the missus to the Waterman on it. ” Oh, didn’t we mention it comes with lights, mirrors and a numberplate…?

PLUS:

*In the October 23 issue of MCN there’s a FREE 16-page supplement featuring the world’s best specials. From tidy GP-replica two-strokes to 250mph turbine bikes and everything in-between, it celebrates the tweakers art

*Barry Sheene on his battle with cancer

*First test: The Buell Lightning

*Scott Russell and his amazing return to racing

*In News this week: Stunt rider’s narrow escape on the latest Hollywood blockbuster ” xXx ” , Triumph’s new Bonnie-based scrambler, Laverda on the verge of a comeback, a monster Monster with 130bhp, the footsoldiers in the new war against Gatsos, Gilera future in doubt

*For New Bikers there’s information on help on how to avoid being ripped off in the secondhand market

*Our long-term bikes this week are Harley’s V-Rod (and a nice picture of Britney) and Suzuki’s V-Strom

*Buying and Owning looks at Triumph’s superbike, the Daytona

*When bikes were bad. We’ve got a special feature on the very worst of motorcycling

*In Sport this week: Rossi turns 50 Down Under, Jeremy McWilliams and THAT pole lap, the engineering genius behind Yamaha’s M1 talks to MCN, news on Chris Walker’s injury enforced lay-off. Ben Bostrom and Colin Edwards talk to our WSB reporter Andy Downes, hot news from Renegade Racing and Steve Hislop responds to his shock sacking.

*AND there’s What’s On, your letters and your FREE MCN Bike Mart weekly. It’s all in the latest issue of MCN. Don’t miss it.