Picture Special: Anstey meets Padgetts RC213V-S

Bruce Anstey had his first view  of the Valvoline Padgetts RCV 213 Honda that he is set to ride in this year’s Superbike and Senior TT races on the Isle of Man today. 

“It looks like a proper racing motorbike.” the 47 year old Kiwi smiled as team boss Clive Padgett and his mechanics put the finishing touches to the exotic £138,000 V4 machine. Anstey had hoped to lead the newcomers round for a lap on the V4  during Saturday night’s opening practice session of TT 2016 but the bike wasn’t ready in time. So far the Marc Marquez replica has only been run on the dyno in the team’s Batley workshop as the mechanics have worked flat out in a secret location on the Isle of Man in an attempt to get the V4 ready for Monday evening’s opening big bike session.

Padgett handed the key of the exclusive road bike over to Anstey, warning him not to lose it.

“Keep that in your leathers or we won’t be able to get the bike started again after the pit stop.” he joked.

The ten times TT winner says he can’t wait to get out on the Mountain course on the nimble V4.

“I think it will be a good TT bike because it is so small and will be able to turn well plus it is slightly longer than my Fireblade superbike so it should be stable too.” he said.

With the special factory supplied race kit fitted the RCV is expected to produce almost 220bhp and Padgett has fitted K Tech front forks with TT spec settings alongside retaining the standard Ohlins rear shock.

“The RCV is a fantastic motorbike straight out of the showroom.” Padgett explained as he saw two months work come to fruition.

“We have just tried to beef it up a little for the challenge of the TT course. A lot of new parts such as the 24 litre fuel tank and the rear subframe have had to be specially manufactured.”