WE ASKED CARL…

Is there anything else you’d like to do to it? “Well, I’m actually just in the process of swapping from Ktech to Maxton suspension, the reason being I don’t feel I’m at a pace to make the most of the DDS; it seems like quite a harsh system that you really have to push hard to get the most out of. I’ve heard good things about Maxton and it being a very rider-friendly set-up that can be more tailored to the rider’s needs, so I’m going to give that a try.” Is there anything you’re not happy with? “The only thing is the Alpha mapping for the wet conditions. I’m finding it unpredictable and there hasn’t been a great deal of riders using it in the wet yet, so on my wet bike I’m going back to the flashed ECU with a Crowe Performance map. But I’m loving the Alpha electronics in the dry conditions.”

Is this bike a keeper, or do you have your eyes on anything else?

“I’ve got a Ducati V4R on the road and that’s nice, but with the BMW, it’s the power that does it for me – the way it comes on strong and the shift cam... I’m never left wanting power or drive. It’s always there. For my ability, it’s really brought me on. It’s not like you’ve got to keep it singing all of the time.”

I imagine it’s hard to choose one, but do you have a favourite upgrade?

“It would have to be the split throttle upgrade, which came with the Alpha electronics software. It transformed the bike for me and has really made me comfortable using the power down at the bottom of the rev range – and gives me the confidence to drive hard out of the corners.”