INTO THE RAINBOW Leaving the shadows of the lake behind in search of some sunshine , I head towards the Rainbow Road - sitting a while at the top of Island Saddle to warm my bones . Beyond the start of the Sedgemere 4WD track , and the comfort of the Sleepout , the road gets rougher , steeper and more interesting . Again , I ’ m happy for the way the 21-inch front tyre rolls over the stony chunk . The Rainbow Road is where I think the Tiger will be in its comfort zone , but near the top-end of it . It ’ s all easily within the bike ’ s capabilities until I take the old track up and around the pylons after the Rainbow River . This is now detoured , but it ’ s still there with a steep , rocky descent that has caught out many a rider . Now it ’ s used by 4WD trucks which have dug out a few hollows
and steps , adding to excitement of the loose rocks . Here the Tiger felt top-heavy and where I felt at my comfort limit . Pretty much where I expected it to be . The rest of the main track , comfort zone fully restored , was a hoot - smooth gravel and then tight twisty seal all the way to the main highway .
TAR SEAL It ’ s funny how much grip there is once you ’ re back on the tar-seal after riding gravel . Instead of sliding around , the bike is solid and feels like you can lean over forever . Turning right after Murchison to follow the gorge of the Buller River , I ’ m full of the confidence this feeling gives . A responsive engine , powerful brakes , sports mode and suspension that adjusts as you ride , the Tiger is transformed from gravel tourer to back-road scratcher . Squirt ... brake ... squirt ... brake and repeat all the way home .
APEX PREDATOR This trip showed me that as a jack of all trades , the Rally Pro does it all . This is the beauty of the bike . If you want to tour , it ’ s great . Like to hit apexes and scrape footpegs ? You could do that too . Fancy exploring our gravel roads ? No worries . And you can do it all on the tyres the bike wears as standard .
72 KIWI RIDER