MARCH 2018|PERFORMANCEBIKES.CO.UK 51surprising anger. Once on song, that motor dominates the
tiny bike, the power pulses shaking you to the core and
driving you forward with astonishing force.
I’m testing the bike at a late-summer trackday and each
session is full of slick-shod racebikes and super-fast local
heroes in spotless Daineses. They’re full of bravado and
straight-line speed, but the the Paton can keep them in sight as
you drive on to the circuit’s 900-metre straight, pulling hard
right though the 11,000rpm redline. Holding the Paton
flat-out is a snapshot into Rutter’s world. All around you is the
violence of internal combustion and a motorcycle
bludgeoning though the thick, warm air, but in
the sheltered bubble of the oversized fairing it’s
almost tranquil. Until you get on the brakes –
then you realise just how fast you’re going...
Just like at the the TT, the key to a fast
short-circuit lap is momentum conservation,
which the S1-R does really well. The chassis is a
masterpiece. Constructed out of steel, just like
their classic racer, it uses modern steering
geometry and boasts 43mm Öhlins USD forks.
But it still uses twin shocks at the rear, with a pair
of Öhlins TTX30 piggyback shocks triangulating
with an alloy box-section swingarm. The reasons?
Firstly, twin shocks fit with the bike’s retro aesthetic perfectly,
secondly Paton are experienced at making them work on their
classic racers. It certainly hasn’t held them back.
It won’t come as too much of a surprise to hear that the
handing is sublime – the Paton has that wonderful, measured,
accurate feel that only the best super-light bikes can manage.
Rutter’s TT racer gives you front-end confidence from the first
time you tip in. And as speed builds, so does confidence.
There’s so much feel. The forks tell you exactly what’s going
on, shrug off late braking and encourage you to experiment
with entry speeds that seem silly on someone else’s TT
winner. The brakes are the same – the combination of a
Brembo RCS19 master cylinder operating M4 monoblocks
treads the fine line between precision and brick wall braking
power and the combination of accurate fuelling, composed
suspension and limpet-like grip from the Metzeler Racetecs
allowsyoutogetonthepowerearlyandhard.Stabilityis
never an issue, and neither is ground clearance.
Cremona’s most challenging corner is a fourth-gear
sweeperstraightafterasecond-gearcorner.It’sblindandhas
abumpyandfastentrythatpunishesthoselackinginfaith.
ButwithRutter’sTTraceryoufeelinvincible.Short-shiftinto
fourth, roll off slightly to settle the front before getting hard
onthegas.Evenatbigleanyoucanchooseyour
lineanddecidewhetheryouwanttogoinside
oroutsideoftheFirebladethat’sholdingyouup.
Itsoaksupmid-cornerbumpstosuchanextent
that you can actually feel the chassis flexing to
absorb the undulations. Remarkable. Easy.
This ease of use means pure track bike
heaven–anditsharesthosecharacteristicswith
the two other TT winners I’ve tested for PB over
theyears–JohnMcGuinness’s2011Senior
winner and Ian Hutchinson’s 2016 Superstock
machine.It’senoughattheTTtobefightingthe
course–youdon’tneedtofightthebikeaswell.
Back in the pits, it’s time to mull over the S1-R Lightweight.
It’s a stunning piece kit – and although on test days like this
youcanonlyscratchthesurfaceofitsability,itscomposure
and sophistication are stunning. Best of all, Paton will build
identical replicas for anyone who wants to race one, or just
keep in their shed.
Owning an exact replica of Rutter’s TT winner is a
compelling prospect – and one that would allow any rider to
revel in corner-speed and composure normally accessed by
factoryracers.It’sadreamIcan’tstopre-livingsincethose
snatched laps in Italy. Rutter’s a lucky man.
Turn over for the SR-1 road bikeBrembo M4 monoblocks
bite on 300mm front discs