Back through the nineties and early noughties when the World Superbike Championship was in its heyday, winning on Sunday really would sell bikes on Monday. WSB rules then allowed you to run 750cc four-cylinder machines or 1000cc twins - and Ducati took full advantage with their dominant 916/996/998, leaving the likes of Honda with its jewel-like RC30 and RC45 (mostly) trailing in their slipstream. So, the Japanese firm decided to beat the Bologna Bullets at their own game and produced the 996cc V-twin VTR1000 SP-1 road bike, which they turned into a championship winner in the hands of Texan Colin Edwards in 2000. This beautiful SP-1 (actually an SP-Y) belongs to Steve Tress. He tells me what makes it tick... and the special story behind it. I also get to take it for a spin. Enjoy!