NAKED SPORTSBIKE OF THE YEAR
If ever there was a naked bike born for the track, this is it. But I already knew that. Strip away the fancy carbon, retina-burning paint job and polarising rear wheel, and what you're dealing with is a Streetfighter V4S. That's a bike I've ridden a lot in recent years, including the latest iteration that forms the basis of this bike. If I were blindfolded,soundtrack to die for. Not literally, of course, but the point is the bike sounds as tasty as it rides. From the riding position to the nature of tech, this is super-focused, armed with rearsets that push your weight forward to fight the inevitable wheelies that come in waves. It is a flighty bike, and around the Ring it wasn't abnormal for the Ducati to get a bit twitchy, too. Some would call that character, others would suggest it's terrifying, but whatever the determination, the Lambo made me feel alive, excited, and like I was actively attacking the track. Truthfully, I was just tickling it, but we'll keep that to ourselves. Still, this bike made me feel epic – and there's a lot to be said for that.
