The Daytona tire tests this year are a hoot since many riders have commented on what it’s like to ride the high banks. Neil Hodgson has made several “Oh my god!” type of statements and everyone is saying the speeds and edge of control feeling concentrates your thoughts like nothing else. Those of us who have ridden modern open class sportbikes know the “Holy Sh–!” feeling when you nail that puppy and watch the world come to you. But few of us have had the opportunity run long at the high end of the speed spectrum like these guys do and they talk about the pounding from bumps, the tires sliding around, the G forces, hmm…, maybe I wouldn’t want to do that.
Non riders just can’t comprehend what bikes these days will do and except for a few high dollar supercars, nothing comes close to the performance. Even then, they’re enclosed, we’re out there.
I don’t think I want to know what 200mph feels like when the bike’s bumping and sliding. I look forward to watching Daytona this year and I feel even more appreciation for the skill and guts it takes to do it. Wow.