Kiwi Rider June 2024 Vol.2 | Page 94

LONG TERM TEST

The power of one is not to be underestimated . “ Just nipping down to the pub for one ” easily turns into “ Just have one more ”. After a couple of “ one more ”, you ’ re likely to have had one too many to ride home . Society would have you believe that one spouse is the correct number , and that spouse would likely want you to think that one bike in the garage is all you need ( seem like that ’ s up for debate there ... Ed ). On the MotoX track , one cylinder is enough , but some superstitious riders believe you should never say “ just one more lap ” as that is when you ’ ll have “ one big off ”. Even four-cylinder bikes sound great with a four-into-one exhaust . So it is with one finger - and with one finger you can do a great many things . Grease a bearing for example . Point the finger of blame . One finger is all that ’ s needed to say come here , or ( in the most direct way ) let someone know what you really think of them .

I ’ M A ONE FINGER GUY I have never been a one-finger brake guy . On my Tenere 700 , I ’ ve always needed at least three fingers . On other bikes , I ’ ve always been a two-finger brake guy . But since picking up the Suzuki GSX-8S , I ’ ve changed . I now get what people are on about when they talk about onefinger braking . The brakes on the GSX- 8S are simply beautiful . They have great stopping power and a whole world of feel . They ’ ve really shown me how bad the brakes on my T7 really are .
The lever is the perfect distance from the grip for me to hook my middle finger over and just rest it there , ready for any eventuality . Coming hot into a corner , just a gentle touch of brake lever with that one finger brings the speed down and
WORDS & PHOTOS : Ray Heron