On Monday I happened to have in my possession for the day a GSXR1000 K4. Now I've ridden this bike before but have always felt a little intimidated by it's power and had never really got to grips with it's handling. Monday was different! Oh my God it was different!
I went for a tootle up my favourite little circuit - Old North Road, Peak Rd, Kaukapakapa, Helensville and back along Old North. I then got diverted because of the hostage incident on Highway 16 along (oh dear) the Riverhead - Coatesville Road.
The roads were in perfect condition, I had on my leathers with knee sliders (just in case I felt the need to get my knee down), and the sun was shining.
My first impression as I rode out of home was of course the power. Pulling onto the motorway I gave it a little handful and found I was doing 140 before I left the on ramp. Handling wise I have not previously found this bike nimble and today was no different. It's not the quickest cornering bike I've ridden. Not wanting to get myself in trouble I was cautious heading up to Kaukap but the return journey has some confidence inspiring 65kph corners that I know can be ridden pretty quickly. I decided to see how fast this bike would go around these corners so opened it up a little, leaned the bike over and stuck my knee out. Oh yeah baby...
Hitting my favourite stretch of corners on the Riverhead Coatesville road provided another opportunity for some chicken stripping! Passing was a breeze and I found it surprisingly easy to ride through traffic. Finding I was running late for an appointment in Balmoral when I was in Takapuna gave me a good opportunity to test it's lane splitting attributes. Again surprisingly easy.
But the main thing I enjoyed about this little ride was the grin you have permanently plastered to the inside of your helmet!
Hmm, anyone want to buy a slightly used, 2004 SV650S (one careful lady owner).
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Originally Posted by Keystone19
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