OUR BIKES
from the moment I was on it. A few have come
very close over the years, but not like this. The
only other was the 2018 Aprilia RSV4–RF...
I rode the demo RS from Auckland to Russell
via SH16 in perfect early summer weather, then
the Paparoa Oakleigh Road and the Old Russell
Road. For those who don’t know the little morsel
that is the SH16, it’s a fast road, but it’s a ‘best to
take it easy(ish) road’ as the Police know we like
it too. However, the Paparoa Oakleigh Road is
much less populated so I got the chance to
explore a bit more of the RS. The roads were dry
and they are well sealed and the temperature
was good so I was able to focus more on the
bike than those factors.
Well, even though I was already sold on the
Speed III, this part of the journey not only sealed
the deal, but it slammed the lid on it too.
Triumph take my money! And, there was still the
Old Russell Road to go...
For those of you who have had the pleasure of
this road, you will already know what I mean by
that. However as the bike was a demo and not
mine, I was mindful of keeping shit real. However,
the bike was so good that I found myself just
enjoying it more and more, if you know what I
mean – nudge, nudge...
This bike doesn’t have the most horsepower
on the market, but there is still plenty there, a
claimed 149hp. Apart from the amazing torque
and stunning brakes, it was the way the bike
handled that really blew me away. Again, I’m not
the fastest rider out there, but the bike let me
do things I hadn’t been able to contemplate
before. The Ohlins fork at the front end is
amazing, that’s the only way I can put it. The
whole bike felt planted and after a late turn
in on many a corner it just went round, so I
tried harder and pushed my limits, and again,
it just went around. It was obvious the bike
was capable of more, which really boosted my
confidence. As soon as I got back I bought one.
Since then I’ve done nearly 25,000km and gone
back to Russell on it a few times, ridden the East
98 KIWI RIDER