KIWI RIDER JUNE 2020 VOL2 | Page 98

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