Cycle News is a weekly magazine that covers all aspects of motorcycling including Supercross, Motocross and MotoGP as well as new motorcycles
Issue link: https://magazine.cyclenews.com/i/658612
CONFEDERATE P51 FIGHTER COMBAT FIRST RIDE P86 of those five ratios are complete- ly superfluous—you can start off from rest in third gear without slipping the clutch unduly. This is a great bike for close quarters traffic combat, using the S&S engine's meaty response to zap past cars or trucks as you carve your way past them in a very Latin fashion. But while you expect all that from such a big-cube motor, the fact that this impressive performance is deliv- ered with such extra refinement and so little vibration, is really noteworthy. The Fighter's brakes are equally leading edge and work well at hauling in such a big bike. And? No question, Confederate's new P51 Fighter Combat is the best bike yet built by the Dixie manufacturer. Low, lean and very meaty, it's engaging to ride while paradoxically more refined in feel and build quality, which is nota- bly higher than on the previous Fighter. It's expensive and classy, yet muscular and substantial—in- dustrial art with a purpose, but also eye candy that functions a whole lot better than you may expect, especially in terms of handling. Perhaps reflecting Confederate's growing maturity as a company, the P51 Fighter seems a better-rounded, more dynamically refined package than its G1 predecessor, while still delivering a visceral thrill when you ride it hard, as it invites you to do. That's not to say that Cham- bers & Co. have sacrificed any of the undoubted thrill you get by twisting the wrist and gassing it wide open as you head for the horizon in fast-forward mode—just that the way the Fighter delivers this mega-performance is simply smoother and more refined, less raw-edged than before. As it celebrates its 25th birthday, Confederate has grown up, and that's reflected in the refined charisma of this very impressive new model. CN C O N F E D E R A T E P 5 1 F I G H T E R C O M B A T ENGINE: .... Air/oil-cooled triple-camshaft OHC pushrod dry-sump 56.25° V-twin 4-stroke, with one-piece forged crank- shaft, 2 valves per cylinder, toothed belt camshaft drive, and machined 6061 aluminum billet crankcases BORE X STROKE: ........ 111.76 x 111.76mm (4.40 x 4.40 in.) DISPLACEMENT: ..............2163cc (132c.i) HORSEPOWER: ....... 145 bhp at 5100 rpm MAX TORQUE: .......160 lb-ft at 2000 rpm COMPRESSION RATIO: .....................10.3:1 FUEL/IGNITION SYSTEM: ..... Closed-loop Delphi EFI and engine management system, with single injector per cylin- der, and 51mm S&S throttle bodies TRANSMISSION: .... 5-speed Confederate stacked gearbox with Andrews gears CLUTCH: .Hydraulically operated Bandit multi-plate dry clutch CHASSIS: ....................................Machined modular aluminum monocoque, with 7.0-in. backbone containing fuel load FRONT SUSPENSION: ...Double-wishbone parallelogram fork with tubular alumi- num struts, direct-action Race Tech monoshock, fully adjustable REAR SUSPENSION: .........Fabricated alu- minum swingarm with cantilever Race Tech monoshock offering two-speed compression and rebound damping FRONT WHEEL TRAVEL: ................ 4.35 in. REAR WHEEL TRAVEL: .................. 5.50 in. FRONT BRAKE: .....Dual 230mm Beringer floating Aeronal cast iron discs with 4-piston Beringer radially mounted Aerotec calipers REAR BRAKE: .................... Single 240mm cross-drilled Aeronal stainless steel disc with two-piston Beringer caliper Front wheel: 3.50 in. BST carbon wheel Rear wheel: .8.50 in. BST carbon wheel FRONT TIRE: .... 120/70ZR19 Pirelli Night Dragon REAR TIRE: .....240/45ZR17 Pirelli Diablo Rosso II RAKE/TRAIL: .......................27.5°/106mm WHEELBASE: ................................. 62.5 in. CLAIMED WEIGHT (WET): .............575 lbs SEAT HEIGHT: ............................... 28.5 in. FUEL CAPACITY: .......................... 4.0 gal. TOP SPEED: ........................ Over 170 mph MSRP: ........ $125,000 Blonde; $130,000 Black S P E C I F I C A T I O N S