If you could have free rein on any race bike at any circuit, what would it be, where would it be, and why?

Question

I would go for an Aprilla RS 250 at Laguna Seca.

Why the RS 250? Well for me it would be the best balance of speed power and handling. I'm sure I could go faster on one of these than I could on a GP 500, 990 or 800. Those would just scare the s**t out of me and I would probably kill myself. Having said that.....I think the 250's today are lapping faster now than the old 500's and the 990's during their first season. But don't quote me.

Laguna Seca...... well for one because I feel I know it. Not that I've been there, its that I've virtually driven round there so many times (Gran Turismo 3 on PS2!), so at least I'll Know my way round it sort of. But mainly because of the Corkscrew. Thats got to be one of the most awesome set of corners on any track anywhere in the world! It must be a real buzz getting that just right.

Well thats my two penneth.....anyone else got any thoughts?

Answer 1

This is a good one! I had to take a little time and think about it, so many options. I'd have to go with the 2006 Honda RC211V that Nicky rode at the last race in Valencia, it looks like HRC had that one dialed in pretty good by the end of the year. As for tracks it was a toss up between Phillip Island and Mugello, but the hills in Tuscany beckon!

Answer 2

Aha interesting question and one for thought. Can I have a couple of answers? You can't really say no I guess :-)

Anyway I think I would want to ride the Britten and at Philip Island. The Britten because it was just an incredible bike built my a man and his team who oozed pure passion. It took on the world and people noticed because it was that good. It still looks great today and there surely will never be the likes again. As for Philip Island well I would just want to go to Australia and as a Scot now living in a land locked country (Czech Republic) I miss the sea so much and the thought of being able to combine the dream bike on one of the worlds recognised great circuits, in a place I have never been and by the sea would be just all too perfect.

My second choice would be an original race prepped Manx Norton and the course would be around the TT course on the Isle of Man. The Manx Norton was one of the most iconic bikes of its time and remains one of the great names in bike history. It was as much a leap forward in its own way as anything that has come and it need defer to no other machine. The TT course, well I have also never been but it would be great to ride a bike in this dream life on a course that lasted so long and it is if course where the likes of the Manx Norton was epitomised as a race bike. The fact that sea is close by is also a bonus!!

Thanks for the question to give me a nice diversion from the every day c**p that is going on with work!

Answer 3

Rossi's repsol honda at donington or mugello, dont know why, but seems to be one of the best bikes.

Answer 4

So many options!

My first would be Jamie Whithams "Fast Orange" 1993 Britsh Championship winning YZF 750 at Oliver`s Mount in Scarbough, UK. He made that bike in to shapes the world has never seen!

Second, on the same "copy cat" idea, Steve Hislops I.O.M winning Rotory Norton. He would be amazing to do another lap....... on that bike! RIP Steve.

Good choice for John Brittan`s V Twin. That would be great.

I smashed my last track toy up earlier this year, we were planning a trip to the killer of the Nurburgring. Roll on next year!

Answer 5

I would like to have riden Troy Bayliss Ducati around Kyalami

Or

Troy Corsers Aprilia Factory bike Around Phillip Island

Answer 6

CBR 1000. Spa Francochamps in Belgium.

Went to Spa (and a couple of other circuits) a few years  ago on a CBR 1000 to watch the 24hr series.

A lot of it is made up of the village road system (the 'Bus Stop' chicane is a bus stop!) so you can play on it after the race.

If you want a proper ride off track, try the hills up to Le Castalet in the south of France. They get thousands of bikers there for the Bol D'or (another 24hr race), the roads to the circuit are wide, perfect, and have race track style ramped checkered kerbs and run offs on every bend. The police wave cars out of the way to let you get on with it.

Getting there isn't a bad run either :o)