Sometimes it’s easy for us chaps in Magazineland to forget a few things. Living in our hazy little bubble of luxury launches, racetrack tests and sunny photoshoots, we need reminding every once in a while what it’s really all about. And that’s getting out there and riding with mates to somewhere you’ve never been, savouring the freedom of two wheels and exploiting what is still the most rapid form of transport on the roads today.
Busy lives dictate that getting away from the stresses of the everyday grind isn’t always easy, though. After all, the chance of a weekend kitchen pass from the missus and four like-minded mates all being available at the drop of a hat are so slim, opportunities can easily slip through your fingers. When our chance came along, there was absolutely no hesitation; passport, cash, go.
So, after much texting, phoning and a little cajoling, there were five of us, which of course meant having to arrange a five-bike test – the most obvious being the contenders in the hugely popular supersport class. Kawasaki have re-entererd the fray revved up and refreshed with a totally new ZX-6R and, with a few tweaks to the Triumph Daytona 675 for 2009, the British bike is once again a real match for the Japanese competition. Add to the mix the dominant Honda CBR600RR, Yamaha’s awesome R6 and the erstwhile Suzuki GSX-R600 and you’ve got five very happy blokes.
With the bikes sorted, the next decision was where to take them. With so many British riders in World Superbikes and World Supersport, and with Assen just a few hundred miles up the road, the answer seemed to be staring us in the face. There we could go and see for ourselves how these bikes are supposed to be ridden and speak to the guys who ride them better than anyone – the fastest 600cc motorcycle racers in the world.
So, after ex-racers Niall Mackenzie and James Whitham had spent a day on road and track to give us the answers only guys like them can, we excitedly packed our rucksacks, swore at our tankbags, narrowly avoided injury by bungee strap and hopped onto the ferry to spend three days riding across three European countries.
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