Performance Bikes Magazine – December 1995 – How We Won The Bol, Suzuki RGV & Mini-Ha-Ha 400 Retros

Original Vintage British Motorcycle Magazine | December 1995 | Endurance Racing | Two-Stroke Sports Bikes | Japanese Retro Motorcycles

An original December 1995 issue of Performance Bikes Magazine, featuring a spectacular endurance racing motorcycle photograph on the front cover, the magazine's account of its involvement in the Bol d'Or endurance race, Suzuki RGV coverage and a comparison of Japanese 400cc retro-style motorcycles.

This vintage publication captures the atmosphere of mid-1990s motorcycle journalism, with its mixture of road testing, racing adventures, performance comparisons, motorcycle engineering and irreverent editorial humour.

The December 1995 issue is particularly interesting for collectors of 1990s performance motorcycles, endurance racing history, Japanese sports bikes and original British motorcycle publications.

Front Cover – Endurance Racing Motorcycle

The cover is dominated by a dramatic action photograph of a racing motorcycle carrying the number 73, ridden at speed with the front wheel appearing raised above the road.

The motorcycle features a distinctive red, white, black and blue racing livery, with numerous period sponsor decals.

Visible markings and advertising include:

• Large racing number 73 on the front fairing.

• Rock Oil sponsorship prominently displayed on the bodywork.

• Avon branding on the lower red fairing.

• M&S Motorcycles sponsor identification.

• NGK branding.

• Performance Bikes branding incorporated into the racing livery.

• A large front racing slick tyre.

• Prominent front brake assembly and dark wheel.

• Racing exhaust components and exposed mechanical details.

The rider wears a white full-face Arai helmet with colourful graphics, blue, white and red racing leathers, protective boots and gloves.

The angle of the photograph emphasises the machine's aggressive performance and the physical demands of endurance motorcycle racing.

The entire image has a dynamic mid-1990s motorsport appearance, making it an attractive original cover for racing enthusiasts.

Main Feature – How We Won The Bol

The principal cover headline reads:

"HOW WE WON THE BOL"

Accompanied by the subtitle:

"24hr virgins come good"

This feature concerns the magazine's participation in the famous Bol d'Or 24-hour motorcycle endurance race.

The Bol d'Or is one of the best-known events in European endurance motorcycle racing, testing riders, motorcycles and supporting teams over an extended competitive period.

The cover photograph features the racing machine associated with the article.

The feature is an interesting piece of contemporary motorcycle racing journalism, especially for readers interested in the technical and human challenges of 24-hour endurance events.

It represents a period when motorcycle magazines regularly became directly involved in challenging motorsport projects rather than simply reporting on them.

Additional Features Advertised

Oil Be Blowed – Suzuki RGV

The lower-left cover headline reads:

"OIL BE BLOWED – RGV Bonnie!"

This advertises a feature involving Suzuki's RGV sports motorcycle range.

The Suzuki RGV was an important part of the Japanese two-stroke sports motorcycle scene, particularly among enthusiasts interested in lightweight, high-revving performance machines.

The feature should appeal to collectors of Suzuki RGV motorcycles and 1990s two-stroke motorcycle journalism.

Mini-Ha-Ha – Japanese 400cc Retro Motorcycles

Another prominent cover feature is titled:

"MINI-HA-HA – Hysterical 400 Retros"

The motorcycles specifically named are:

• Kawasaki ZRX

• Honda CB-1

• Suzuki GSX

• Yamaha XJR

This feature highlights the Japanese retro-inspired motorcycle market of the period.

The cover suggests a comparison or examination of smaller-capacity motorcycles inspired by classic naked-bike styling.

These machines are of particular interest to enthusiasts of Japanese domestic-market motorcycles, compact four-cylinder engines and 1990s retro motorcycle design.

The article offers a period perspective on this distinctive part of motorcycle culture.

Win a Thunderace

A yellow promotional headline on the right-hand side reads:

"WIN A THUNDER ACE"

This refers to a historical competition associated with the Yamaha Thunderace sports motorcycle.

The Yamaha YZF1000R Thunderace was a significant Yamaha performance motorcycle introduced during the 1990s.

Please note: This was a historical competition advertisement. No motorcycle or competition prize is included, and the original competition is no longer active.

Additional Cover Headlines

The bottom red strip advertises several further subjects:

Nerdy Video Games

A feature relating to video games, reflecting the magazine's broader interest in technology and enthusiast culture.

Frames

A motorcycle-related feature advertised under this heading. The precise article content cannot be confirmed from the cover alone.

Meety Beattie

A feature referencing a person named Beattie. Further details of the article are not visible in the supplied photograph.

Teenage Loons

Another example of the magazine's humorous editorial style. The precise subject matter is not established from the cover.

The cover also includes an additional adult-humour headline, characteristic of Performance Bikes' irreverent editorial presentation during this period.

Magazine Design and Historical Interest

The December 1995 cover combines a striking motorcycle racing photograph with the magazine's distinctive red and yellow masthead.

The large Performance Bikes logo appears at the upper left, partially overlapped by the racing photograph.

The principal headline, "How We Won The Bol", is arranged vertically along the left side in oversized white lettering with contrasting yellow words.

Other cover features appear in bold white and yellow typography.

The magazine also features a green circular performance-themed graphic near the upper-left corner.

The lower portion of the cover contains the slogan:

"UK's Number One Motorbicycle Magazine"

The informal wording and humorous headlines are characteristic of the publication's distinctive identity during the 1990s.

The overall design is representative of British motorcycle magazine publishing during the period, when high-performance Japanese and European motorcycles dominated enthusiast discussions.

Publication Details

Magazine: Performance Bikes

Publication Date: December 1995

Original UK Cover Price: £2.20

USA Cover Price: $4.95

Language: English

Format: Original printed motorcycle magazine

Main Cover Subject: Number 73 endurance racing motorcycle

Main Feature: How We Won The Bol – Bol d'Or endurance racing

Other Featured Motorcycles: Suzuki RGV, Kawasaki ZRX, Honda CB-1, Suzuki GSX and Yamaha XJR

Additional Motorcycle Mentioned: Yamaha Thunderace

Condition: Pre-owned / Vintage

SKU: 1585

Condition – Important Information

This magazine is an original publication from December 1995 and shows visible signs of previous ownership, handling and storage.

The following observations are based on the supplied photograph of the actual magazine.

Front Cover

• The original full-colour front cover remains present.

• The principal motorcycle photograph and main headlines are clearly readable.

• Visible surface scratching and scuffing are present, especially across the darker areas of the cover.

• Fine scratches and handling marks can be seen over the racing motorcycle photograph.

• Some light creasing and surface rubbing are visible.

• The lower-right corner shows noticeable rubbing, creasing and wear, including a small area of damage near the red border.

• Minor marks and signs of age are visible across the printed surface.

• The cover is not in pristine or mint condition.

Spine

• The left-hand spine shows rubbing and general handling wear.

• Several small stress marks and creases are visible along the spine.

• Slight wear is apparent around the top and bottom of the spine.

Edges and Corners

• The corners show some softening and age-related wear.

• The bottom edge has light rubbing and small marks.

• The bottom-right corner has more noticeable creasing and surface deterioration.

• The upper edge shows minor handling wear.

• The overall shape remains reasonably flat in the supplied photograph.

Interior Pages

Only the front cover has been supplied for inspection.

The internal pages have not been individually examined, so their condition and completeness cannot be guaranteed from the photograph alone.

Overall C