RideFast - MCSA - Motorcycling South Africa August 2015 | Page 2

W E L C O M E THE TEAM - IF WE WERE ON THE SIMPSON... They say it’s not what you know but rather who you know. That was the case for this issue. We got to test 2 of the most sort after machines in the world at present - the Kawasaki H2R and the 2016 Aprilia RSV4 RF. How did we pull this off? Well, let’s just say we are so lucky to have the best readers in the world. About two months ago, we went along to Kawasaki SA to see the first H2R in SA be un-crated. Whilst there, we met the new owner, Anton Oberholzer, we quickly got chatting and soon Anton was offering us his new R600K plus machine to test. Obviously I said yes, with a massive smile on my face. After lots of back and fourth organising everything, we finally pulled it off. We invited the public along to RSR to witness myself, and more importantly Shez, ride the 300hp beast. It turned out to be an amazing day and a big thanks to all for making it possible. Really think you will enjoy the story. Just one week later, and I was back at RSR, testing another gorgeous machine. The 2016 Aprilia RSV4 RF - the only one in SA at the time. Getting to ride this bike took a lot more convincing to owner Jacques, I practically got down on my hands and knees, eventually he buckled and let me test his bike. I could understand his concern, as it was the only RF in the country and if anything had happened, we would not be able to get another one for quite sometime. Since the test, Cayenne World, who are the importers of Aprilia into SA, have air freighted two more RF’s in, and both are gone. Not sure if many more RF’s will be coming into SA as there were only 500 built. The RF has already won most “Bike of the Year” contest from various publications overseas, receiving raved reviews and 11 out of 10 marks from more than one top publication. I will happily give it the same mark! So, there you have it, two SA exclusives right here in this issue. Add on top of that a 2015 race and stock Yamaha R1, 2015 Aprilia Tuono 1100 RR, MV Agusta F4 EAS ABS and 2016 Suzuki GSX-S 1000F and you have a magazine packed with great bike tests. But don’t worry, we still have the usual MotoGP story and latest news as well. I really enjoyed reading the ‘Riding Tips’ we feature in this mag. Dan really did do a great job in explaining the technique behind how to turn a motorcycle effectively. Dan really does have a great way of explaining things, and I have received nothing but compliments about his work. We will keep his riding tips coming! Going back to the H2R, I am excited to see where the likes of Kawasaki take the super-charged development. Will we be seeing super-charged bikes racing in World SBK or MotoGP? I don’t think it’s as far fetched as it sounds. For now, it’s going to be interesting to see what the likes of BMW, Yamaha and Suzuki come up with to match what Kawasaki have done with the H2’s. I have heard rumours that BMW already have a super-charged 1200 in the works, let the games begin! We have a great competition in this issue, if you look in the products pages you will see a feature on the new REV’IT! Jupiter jacket. You will also see that REV’IT! have kindly given us one of these new amazing jackets to give-away. Make sure you enter to stand a chance of winning this awesome jacket. I only just managed to finish this magazine in time, I spent so much time playing the new MotoGP 15 game, that I nearly missed the deadline. That would have been a disaster! Speaking of the new MotoGP 15 game, we have a great review in this issue on what I can honestly say is a E D I T O R entertaining game. Until next time, ride fast, ride safe! Rob Portman “GR AN D PA” “HOMER” G E O RG E P O RT M A N P U B L I SH E R RO B P ORTM AN E D I TO R / D ES IGNER “MR BUR N S” “NELSON” Z E N O N B I RK B Y A DV E RT I SI N G SH AU N P ORTM AN TES TER “R AL PH WIGGUM” F “B ART & LI S A” SH EZ M O R A I S R ACE COLUMNIS T & TES TER BR AD & DARR YN BINDER R ACE COLUMNIS TS & TES TER S R As “KE N T BROCKM AN ” RI C H A RD K N O W L E S CO N T RI B U TO R “MILHOUSE” C A M PETER SEN R ACE COLUMNIS T CONTAC T DE TA I L S : EDI TO R : RO B 0 82 782 82 4 0 e m a i l : ro b@ ri d e f a s t .co.z a ADV ER T I SI NG : Z E NO N 074 10 4 1074 ze n o n @ ri d e f a s t .co.z a SUB SCR I P T I O N S : RNA 01 1 47 3 870 0 m c s a s u bs @ rn a d .co.z a F M R Q V C Mitsubishi Motors Sandton DRIVES TEL: CHRIS 082 602 1836 TONY 083 770 2400 M G w 1508 RF cover contents.indd 1002 2015/07/25 9:49 AM Mitsu