Practical Sportsbikes

Practical Sportsbikes magazine is about buying, fixing, restoring and riding sportsbikes from the 1970s, ’80s and ’90s. Every issue of PS – the magazine home of new-wave Japanese and Italian classics – is packed with: - The most inspiring and ingenious reader restorations - The most in-depth road tests and buyers’ guides - Unmissable workshop tips and how-to features Practical Sportsbikes gets under the skin of the bikes that really matter to our readers and explains how best to maintain, rebuild and enjoy them. So if you’re in to sportsbikes from the 1970-1990s, PS is essential reading.

welcome

The B-Team • Reveal their fave TT riders

Contributor of the month

ANTI-TAMPER REGS WON’T HIT OLDER BIKES • But UK government proposal could still limit your right to modify new bikes

specials we like • We have a Ninja, we have a Slabbie, and we have an off-of-the-road bike too

Don’t dismiss the old CB750

ps mail • Write a letter to The PS and if it’s Star Letter material you win a grey T-shirt ‘designed’ by Damo. Who has that?

IN YOUR SHED • Part way through a restoration? Just completed a trick special? Send us your pics, and details

ODDBALL TT PRODDIE BIKES • When regs were loose (and bikes were junk) all sorts of unlikely tackle turned up on The Island – and raced, and sometimes even finished

YOU RACED THAT AT THE TT?

DECOY DUC • Phwoar, an 851. Well, no actually, but this cunning ST2-based budget lookalike offers 90% of the real experience for less than half the money

JOHN ON JOEY • John McGuinness was in awe of Joey Dunlop as a kid – and when he ended up as a rival (as he told Joey he would) the Dunlop legend was cemented for him. Here’s a brief, but altogether revealing sketch of their relationship, in John’s words

THE QUIET GENIUS • Bruce Anstey ‘The Flying Kiwi’ avoids microphones and does his talking where it matters. He might just be the greatest road racer of his generation

TT TALES • There’s nothing like it (and never will be). And it’s the first time that leaves the biggest impression. Enjoy some PS readers’ stories

POSTER

SELECTOR FIRST GEN SUPERMOTOS • Yamaha, Gilera, and KTM were the first factories to see the potential of the supermoto genre on the road. These early examples are still rocking good bikes for pure fun

JUMBLE A DAY AWAY • Why spend Saturday in the pub? When you can make (a little) cash and have a laugh

GREAT BRITISH GARAGES • The nation’s home mechanics and bike industry pros reveal their workshop set-ups, their best gear, and top tips

OUR EXPERTS

What’s the problem? • Bike not running right? Our experts have the answers to the toughest questions

BARGAINS TO BIMOTA PART 5 • Alan’s trade-up dream is on life-support as his first buy ZXR400 refuses to be ready for market. But the PS tech ed will not be easily defeated

THE REAL LONG-TERMERS • Do your (due) diligence, test more than a few, settle on a bike you like, and then ride it, and keep on riding it. It’s a rich and rewarding process

LIVING WITH A GSX-R1000 K7

THE MAIN MODS

PROJECT ZX990 TURBO AND SO... THE FUN BEGINS • As the estimable Ferret works his magic, a finish may be in sight. But we know better than that, by now. Would someone please turn off the light at the end of the tunnel?

HONDA VFR400R • Much of the RC30 vibe and soundtrack, yet minus the huge expense, and “Is my bike still there?” concerns

Power to the people. Lots of it • Truth time on the dyno, and the hot H1F does not disappoint. It makes plenty of horses

You can’t rush a good rebuild • “You can’t rush a good race,” was Morini guru Benjy Straw’s mantra. The same applies to a resto

Mad dash for Monkey Wrench...