It's warmer - on the street as well as on the track

Our Day 2 at Bike week was spent looking over bikes and accessories, including after- market frames, engines and gearboxes - all you need in fact to build your own completely personalised bike, much like those "creative" assemblers we see on TV. No magic there, just find the right catalogue, mix and match components and weld away.


This was the first day on the track for Miguel Duhamel and his Suzuki GSX-R600, in preparation for the 200 mile race Friday night. According to Miguel, the engine felt strong, and some more sorting-out work on the suspension should allow him to close on the lead pack. The five time winner is looking forward to the race: "A lot can happen over those two hours - I know because they have all happened to me over the years. I can't wait until Friday night".

Brett McCormick, the 17-year old phenom from Saskatchewan and lead rider for Suzuki Canada this year, also took to the track aboard a GSX-R1000 Superbike, his first ride on the big machines at Daytona. Brett was suitably impressed: "Keeping the throttle wide open on the banking takes some getting used to, especially after a winter of training and ice racing. But I feel physically much stronger than last year, and I am learning the track and how to go fast here. Our goal is a top-15 finish for the race, with a top-ten if I can get lucky",

We rode the KTM Super Duke today, a great, very high performance standard machine, which will endanger your driving licence. But the power, the brakes and the definitely sport-oriented suspension will deliver a ride you will not forget quickly. Watch for a complete report in the coming weeks. I am already calling around to attend a traqck day with that baby!

Tomorrow, we ride the new 883 Iron from Harley-Davidson and attend the AMA Superbike race, to watch Brett McCormick's debut in that arena.

See you tomorrow!




Photo Credit : Philippe Champoux