It’ll do track too

» Yamaha are planning R7 Cup-type events in Europe next year, but what will it be like on a trackday for us lot here? It’ll be fast, unthreatening and fun, especially on tighter tracks. With Bridgestone R11 race tyres fitted at the launch at the Spanish Andalusia circuit, the R7 allowed throttle abuse that would send you to the moon on a more powerful bike. And the harder you push the chassis, the better it feels. Whatever trackday group you’re in, you’ll mix with much more powerful bikes that’ll zap you on the straights and hold you up in the corners. This could be frustrating… or worse. Is it time for trackday organisers to rethink the groups to allow this new breed of sporty middleweight to roam free?