Practical Sportsbikes Magazine – August 2017 – Issue 82

Honda CBR900RR FireBlade | Kawasaki ZXR400 | Kawasaki ZX-6R | Yamaha FJ1100 | Suzuki GSX1100 | Wes Cooley | Suzuki GS1000 | Morini Dart

Original UK edition of Practical Sportsbikes Magazine, August 2017, Issue 82, featuring a striking Honda CBR900RR FireBlade on the front cover.

This issue celebrates classic Japanese sportsbikes, motorcycle restoration, specialist engineering, historic racing machines and practical workshop maintenance.

The magazine's main feature, FireCracker, focuses on a reader-restored 1992 Honda CBR900RR FireBlade, transformed from a damaged, modified streetfighter into an eye-catching classic sportsbike.

Other prominent features include the Kawasaki ZXR400, Kawasaki ZX-6R, Yamaha FJ1100, Suzuki GSX1100, Suzuki GS1000 and Morini Dart.

An interesting publication for collectors of classic motorcycle magazines, Honda FireBlade enthusiasts and owners of 1980s and 1990s performance motorcycles.

Main Cover Feature – Honda CBR900RR FireBlade

FireCracker – Reader Rescue

The main cover headline reads:

FIRECRACKER

It was a bent, bodged streetfighter, now it's exactly how I want a '92 CBR900RR to be.

The cover advertises a reader restoration story involving a 1992 Honda CBR900RR FireBlade.

The original CBR900RR was a landmark Japanese sportsbike, recognised for its lightweight design, powerful inline-four engine and exceptional handling.

Its combination of relatively low weight and superbike performance helped redefine the large-capacity sportsbike market during the early 1990s.

The featured motorcycle has been transformed from a damaged and modified streetfighter into a distinctive sportsbike.

Detailed Front Cover Photograph

The front cover is dominated by a large studio photograph of the restored Honda FireBlade.

The motorcycle is photographed from a dramatic front three-quarter angle, highlighting its distinctive early-1990s design.

Visible details include:

• White full sportsbike fairing.

• Red and blue racing-inspired graphics.

• Prominent Honda branding.

• Distinctive twin circular headlights.

• Large curved front windscreen.

• Black rear-view mirrors.

• Gold-coloured front fork tubes.

• Blue front mudguard.

• Black multi-spoke wheels.

• Large drilled front brake discs.

• Gold-coloured front brake components.

• Amber front indicators.

• White and blue side fairing panels.

• RR graphics on the lower fairing.

• Silver aftermarket-style exhaust silencer.

• Black stepped seat.

• Red and white rear bodywork.

The motorcycle is displayed against a bright yellow and white background, making the colourful bodywork particularly striking.

The low camera angle emphasises the FireBlade's front wheel, braking system and distinctive headlight arrangement.

This is an attractive cover for enthusiasts of the original Honda CBR900RR and collectors of early FireBlade motorcycles.

Kawasaki ZXR400 Special

The right-hand side of the cover advertises:

KAWASAKI ZXR400 SPECIAL

MotoGP inspired pocket rocket.

The Kawasaki ZXR400 is one of the most recognisable Japanese 400cc sportsbikes of the late 1980s and 1990s.

Developed with racing-inspired styling, a high-revving four-cylinder engine and a compact chassis, the ZXR400 became popular with riders seeking lightweight sportsbike performance.

The advertised special feature focuses on this distinctive Kawasaki model.

The ZXR400 is particularly well known for its aggressive bodywork, aluminium frame, compact dimensions and close connection to the era of Japanese 400cc race-replica motorcycles.

This feature should interest owners and collectors of classic Kawasaki sportsbikes.

Morini Dart – Italian Motorcycle Restoration

Another advertised feature is:

MORINI DART

Hit bullseye with your restoration.

The Moto Morini Dart is an unusual Italian motorcycle, combining enclosed sportsbike styling with Moto Morini's distinctive V-twin engine heritage.

The Dart is particularly interesting because of its unconventional appearance and relatively uncommon status compared with mainstream Japanese sportsbikes.

The advertised feature concerns restoration of this classic Italian motorcycle.

It offers an additional subject for enthusiasts interested in unusual European motorcycles, specialist restoration and Italian engineering.

Kawasaki ZX-6R – Inside Story

The lower-left cover panel advertises:

KAWASAKI ZX-6R

The supersport 600 class's best kept secret (oops)...

The Kawasaki ZX-6R became an important competitor in the 600cc supersport motorcycle category.

Known for its combination of four-cylinder performance, responsive handling and aggressive styling, the ZX-6R has enjoyed a long history in both road riding and motorcycle racing.

This advertised inside story focuses on the model's place within the supersport 600 class.

It is particularly relevant to collectors and enthusiasts of classic Kawasaki Ninja motorcycles and 1990s Japanese sportsbikes.

Yamaha FJ1100 vs Suzuki GSX1100

Head-to-Head – Classic Sports Tourers

The bottom-right cover section advertises:

FJ1100 v GSX1100

Old school sports tourers go big in Wales. Very big indeed.

This feature compares two classic large-capacity Japanese motorcycles.

Yamaha FJ1100

The Yamaha FJ1100 was developed as a powerful sports-touring motorcycle, combining strong four-cylinder performance with a comfortable riding position and substantial fairing.

It became well regarded for its long-distance capabilities and impressive performance.

Suzuki GSX1100

The Suzuki GSX1100 belongs to Suzuki's influential family of large-capacity four-cylinder motorcycles.

These machines are remembered for their powerful engines, substantial construction and classic 1980s styling.

Cover Photography

The comparison is illustrated by a small photograph showing two large-capacity motorcycles being ridden side by side.

The motorcycle on the left features blue and white bodywork, a tall front fairing and a rectangular headlight arrangement.

The motorcycle on the right features red and black bodywork, a large front fairing and prominent Suzuki branding.

Both motorcycles are photographed from the front at road level, highlighting their substantial proportions and touring-oriented design.

The Wales setting adds a British road-testing element to the feature.

This comparison is particularly interesting for enthusiasts of classic Japanese sports tourers.

Wes Cooley – Suzuki GS1000 Racing History

The upper-left cover panel features:

WES COOLEY

How he and Pops Yoshimura made the GS1000 (and Suzuki) into legends.

Wes Cooley was an American motorcycle racer closely associated with Suzuki's racing success.

His achievements aboard Yoshimura-prepared Suzuki machinery helped establish the Suzuki GS1000 as an important racing motorcycle.

The cover includes a historic racing photograph showing Cooley riding a Suzuki race bike.

Visible details include:

• Racing number 34.

• Suzuki-branded racing fairing.

• White racing helmet.

• Racing leathers.

• Classic racing motorcycle silhouette.

• Low racing riding position.

The feature explores the association between Wes Cooley, Yoshimura and Suzuki's GS1000 racing heritage.

It should appeal to enthusiasts of historic superbike racing, Suzuki GS motorcycles and classic Yoshimura racing machines.

20 Pages of Workshop Wisdom

The upper-right corner advertises:

20 PAGES OF WORKSHOP WISDOM

This section highlights the magazine's practical approach to motorcycle ownership, maintenance and restoration.

The advertised subjects include:

Project 888 Ducati Revisited

A return to a Ducati 888 restoration or project motorcycle.

The Ducati 888 is an important Italian superbike, recognised for its V-twin engine, fuel injection and racing heritage.

The advertised feature revisits the project and its development.

Get Perfect Wheel Alignment

A practical workshop subject covering motorcycle wheel alignment.

Correct wheel alignment is important for handling, tyre wear and overall motorcycle performance.

This topic is particularly relevant to owners carrying out maintenance or restoration work.

Cable Routing Made Simple

A workshop feature concerning the routing of motorcycle control cables.

Proper cable routing helps ensure smooth operation and reduces the risk of interference with steering and other components.

This is a useful subject for owners rebuilding or maintaining older motorcycles.

Buy a Suzuki GSX750 Inazuma

A buying feature dedicated to the Suzuki GSX750 Inazuma.

The GSX750 Inazuma is a traditional-style Japanese naked motorcycle featuring a four-cylinder engine and practical road-bike design.

The advertised article should interest prospective buyers and owners looking for a classic Suzuki road motorcycle.

Cover Design and Collector Appeal

The August 2017 issue features a bold yellow, white, red and black cover design.

The Practical Sportsbikes masthead appears across the upper section in large white and red lettering.

The magazine's familiar slogan, Keeping your ride alive, is associated with its classic motorcycle restoration and maintenance focus.

The central Honda FireBlade photograph dominates the page.

The large FireCracker headline is printed across the lower section, with the word Fire in red and Cracker in black.

The yellow circular Reader Rescue label emphasises the reader-restoration theme.

The top of the cover contains a historic Wes Cooley racing photograph and a prominent circular workshop feature panel.

The right-hand side advertises the Kawasaki ZXR400 and Morini Dart features.

The bottom section promotes the Kawasaki ZX-6R and Yamaha FJ1100 versus Suzuki GSX1100 comparison.

The cover combines classic motorcycle photography, restoration stories and practical workshop subjects, making it an attractive example of a specialist British motorcycle magazine from 2017.

Publication Details

Magazine: Practical Sportsbikes

Publication Date: August 2017

Issue Number: 82

Original UK Cover Price: £4.10

Country: United Kingdom

Language: English

Format: Printed Motorcycle Magazine

Main Cover Motorcycle: Honda CBR900RR FireBlade

Main Feature: FireCracker – Reader Rescue

Additional Featured Motorcycles: Kawasaki ZXR400, Kawasaki ZX-6R, Yamaha FJ1100, Suzuki GSX1100, Suzuki GS1000, Moto Morini Dart, Ducati 888 and Suzuki GSX750 Inazuma.

Featured Racing Personality: Wes Cooley

SKU: 1594

Condition – Important Information

Pre-owned magazine showing visible signs of previous handling and storage.

The supplied photograph shows the actual magazine being offered.

Front Cover

The front cover retains strong, vibrant colours.

The main Honda FireBlade photograph is clear, and the printed headlines remain readable.

The yellow background, white fairing and red and blue motorcycle graphics are particularly striking.

However, the magazine does show signs of previous use.

Visible imperfections include:

• Light rubbing and wear along the left-hand spine.

• Small white scuff marks visible around the spine edge.

• Minor wear around the upper-left corner.

• Slight unevenness and handling marks along the top edge.

• Light surface rubbing and minor marks on the front cover.

• Small areas of wear near the lower-left corner.

• Minor rubbing along the bottom edge.

• Slight corner wear.

• Light handling creases and general signs of storage.

• Slight unevenness along the outer edges of the cover.

The cover remains visually attractive despite these imperfections.

Spine and Binding

The spine is visible along the left-hand side and shows light wear and rubbing.

The magazine appears to retain its overall shape.

The internal binding has not been fully inspected.

Interior Pages

Only the front cover is shown in the supplied photograph.

The condition and completeness of the interior pages cannot be fully confirmed.

Additional marks, creases or other imperfections may be present.

Overall Condition

Good used condition based on the visible front cover, with light spine rubbing, minor surface marks and general edge and corner wear.

This is a previously owned magazine and should not be considered new or mint.

Please examine the supplied photograph carefully before purchasing, as it forms an important part of the condition description.

Important – Original Accompanying Items

MAGAZINE ONLY.

Any original separate supplements, promotional gifts, loose inserts or other accompanying items that may originally have been supplied with this magazine are no longer included.

Only the magazine itself is included in the sale.

Packaging and Delivery

Your magazine will be carefully packaged to help protect it during transit.

UK Orders: Dispatched in a protective hardback envelope.

International Orders: Dispatched in a sturdy cardboard mail-size box for additional protection during international shipping.

Collector Interest

This issue may particularly appeal to collectors and enthusiasts of:

• Practical Sportsbikes Magazine.

• Honda CBR900RR FireBlade.

• Honda FireBlade motorcycles.

• 1992 Honda CBR900RR.

• Kawasaki ZXR400.

• Kawasaki ZX-6R.

• Kawasaki Ninja motorcycles.

• Yamaha FJ1100.

• Suzuki GSX1100.

• Suzuki GS1000.

• Wes Cooley.

• Yoshimura Suzuki racing.

• Moto Morini Dart.

• Ducati 888.

• Suzuki GSX750 Inazuma.

• Classic Japanese superbikes.

• 1980s and 1990s sportsbikes.

• Japanese 600cc supersport motorcycles.

• Classic sports-touring motorcycles.

• Historic motorcycle racing.

• Motorcycle restoration.

• Motorcycle engineering.

• Motorcycle workshop techniques.

• Classic motorcycle buying guides.

• Vintage motorcycle magazines.

Summary

Original Practical Sportsbikes Magazine, August 2017, Issue 82, featuring a striking 1992 Honda CBR900RR FireBlade restoration cover.

The main FireCracker feature focuses on a reader-restored Honda FireBlade, while additional advertised subjects include the Kawasaki ZXR400, Kawasaki ZX-6R, Moto Morini Dart and a Yamaha FJ1100 versus Suzuki GSX1100 comparison.

The magazine also celebrates Wes Cooley and Yoshimura's Suzuki GS1000 racing heritage.

Its workshop section advertises 20 pages of practical advice, including Ducati 888 project work, wheel alignment, cable routing and a Suzuki GSX750 Inazuma buying feature.

Condition: Good used condition based on the visible cover, with light spine wear, minor surface marks and general edge and corner rubbing. Interior condition has not been fully verified.

Important: Magazine only. Any original separate accompanying items are no longer included.

UK Packaging: Protective hardback envelope.

International Packaging: Sturdy cardboard mail-size box.

SKU: 1594