Against The Grain | Confederate P120 Fighter

A far as riding this beast, it's definitely an experience to say the least. The Fighter feels very rigid, probably from the aircraft-grade aluminum frame construction. Due to the solid construction, there's very minimal flex apparent on tube frame motorcycles.But the double-wishbone frontend with RaceTech front shock features adjustable high- and low-speed compression and adjustable rebound, which is great because of its versatility to suit different rider weights and riding conditions. The rear RaceTech shock includes the same features and both work brilliantly, cohesively. The shocks will never bottom out if they're adjusted correctly, Matt tells us.

The ergonomics take some getting used to due in part to the less-than-comfortable seat and the high-mounted forward controls. It's a bit cramped, but comfort took a back seat once we rolled back on the throttle putting the 120ci engine/160 ponies to the test. The carbureted, air-cooled V-twin was used because of its minimalist design. There are no water lines or pumps to worry about, which Matt purposefully chose. Simple. Throttle response was crisp all the way through the powerband up into the triple digits. And the four-piston Brembos work brilliantly in grabbing the composite carbon/ceramic/aluminum-matrix rotors to bring the 460-pound Fighter to a halt.

The Fighter is great as far as power and oomph are concerned; awesome in a straight line, not so much in tight twisties. When cornering in a hairpin, the 240mm rear tire is a bit too much meat to really lean the bike over, so you really have to halt the machine before entering your turn-in point all the way through the apex of the turn. We tried to push the limits but it was hard to get the bike to budge.

All in all, the P120 Fighter does everything it's meant to do: turn heads, piss people off (from jealousy of not owning one), and go fast-really, really fast. We'll say it: we love this bike. We would own one, but unfortunately our salaries doesn't afford us such luxuries. Yet. But it does afford us the luxury of getting to spend the day with such an incredible motorcycle and throw you our two cents, which is priceless to us. And while it might not get you through a weekend of cross-country touring, unless you're a masochist, it's definitely going to put a smile and your face, and that's what it's all about. Lastly, if you're an introverted type, be prepared for a lot of attention.

Sources

Confederate Motors
(877) 324-9888 | confederate.com