Here we go!
Just like that, the sun is shining and the ‘new metal’ floodgates have opened… at last. My god, it’s been a long winter and, like me, you probably think this is a moment that’s felt an eternity in the coming; waiting patiently for the possibility to get back out on bikes and finally learn 2021’s offerings on a deeper level than their press releases. As I’ve said before, there are some very tasty new prospects on the cards this season and two of the first candidates to cross our paths are Suzuki’s Hayabusa and Yamaha’s MT-09 SP. You could not get much more different offerings if you tried, but both proved epic platforms for their own unique reasons. Johnny bagged the ‘Busa and fully embraced not only the novelty of a motorcycle that could actually accommodate his man-mountain frame, but the sheer brilliance of a latest-iteration hyperbike. It doesn’t seem that long ago that Blackbirds, ‘Busas and ZZRs were everywhere, but now it’s on Suzuki’s shoulders to fly the flag for this unique sector of the sportsbike market, and good on them for sticking with it.
As for the naughty, naked Yamaha that I got to abuse, let’s just say it proved the perfect tonic for countless months of pent-up, two-wheeled frustration. If you thought the MT was bonkers before, wait till you try it now. Just like the Hayabusa is to Suzuki, the MT is such a significant machine to Yamaha and not just because it sells like hotcakes. It was a model that reignited the brand’s fire and put pennies back in its bank account following its showcasing in 2013. It’s mad how the years creep up on us, as Tim highlighted by tracking Hawk Racing’s history. If you’re a BSB fan, you’re going to want to check out his piece on the team’s 25 years of tears and triumphs. Speaking of tears, I could have shed a few this month on my Mille project, but that’s mainly owing to my incompetence. The build’s getting there one bolt at a time, but at this rate I’ll be drawing my pension before it’s finished.
On a final note, I’d just like to say a big thanks for sticking with us and supporting the mag – it means a hell of a lot. Likewise, I’d like to wish you all the best for this season’s shenanigans. Stay safe, have fun and don’t forget to let us know what you’re getting up to.
Enjoy the mag.