THE GOLDEN MOMENT

As these are two such contrasting motorcycles there was only one stretch of road on the MCN250 where both worked to their full potential and neither’s performance was compromised; the run from the Cotswold Diner to Burford. This stretch of Tarmac, which includes the A435, A429 and B4425, is a smooth and flowing sequence of roads that allows you to keep a constant speed up and roll through the bends, which plays to each bike’s strengths while brushing over their respective weaknesses. And thanks to a decided lack of traffic (most likely caused by the school holidays) once given the opportunity both bikes excelled. You don’t have to be going super-fast to enjoy this stretch, which meant that at a brisk pace the XSR’s soft suspension wasn’t overly stressed and as the road is flowing its forks weren’t subjected to the kind of harsh braking which would expose their lack of support.

On the Vitpilen the smooth surface allowed its firmer suspension to deliver a sporty ride without any harshness, demonstrating its cornering potential and sporting prowess. And all of this was at road legal speeds while being shaded from the summer sun by a canopy of trees overhead.

We had to ride a bit cautiously as our eyes needed to acclimatise to the dramatic change from light to dark when the sun broke through the foliage, but this is a wonderful section of road to enjoy at a brisk, but not excessive pace.