Well most of you are going to be heading off to Cadwell this week and are getting pretty excited, on this side of the hemisphere Smurf is getting ready for Phakisa this coming weekend - 2 days of fun in the sun - destroying tyres, kneesliders, laptimes, and hopefully nothing else

Some info;


Length; 4.24km
Direction; Anticlockwise
Elevation; 1350m

Motogp (last year 2004) - Lapped around 1min 30's.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=utx4dypsApk
(they do skip some parts of the track)

Our basically superstock-specced regional superbikes lap around 1min42s, and fast A-group guys do it around 1min48s.

My best on the SD is 2m dead, and 1min57 on my old blade, but on road tyres.

This'll be the 2nd time there on the SD, and 4th time ever (3 - including this coming one - were 2 day weekends). Excited? Oh yes indeedee. Hopefully the video camera is working, and I work up the nerve to tape it on the bike, out in the open...

Everything Weeksy says about 1000 il4s is true. My 05 fireblade is too much for the track. Might as well bet a B King or Busa. it is true


BUT

He has never ridden an 08 blade.

1. It is TINY.
2. it handles like a 600
3. It has enormous, frightening, stomp
4. You cannot ground it out (My 05 blade has Harris rearsets - they are 1 inch LOWER than the standard pegs on 08 blade)

100% agree. I am happier using all of the Superduke power. I will be intimidated by my new blade but I still want it.

I spent the weekend with Tim Bourne. He did a trackday at Lydden Hill lapping in 43 secs setting the bike (08 R1) up.

Then on Sunday he did Brands Indy New Era meeting as a test for Champion of Brands in 2 weeks time. He won both races lapping in 49.4 secs.

Now that guy can use most /all of il4's power. What did I learn? Nothing, not a single thing except 08R1's sound violent when on the limit. And that I will never.... ever..... if I had ten lifetimes, be that good.

For my level the Superduke is great it lets me get past people who are a bit better than me because I am using all of my bikes power while they are struggling with theirs. Does it make me a potential Tim Bourne? Does it f**k!

None of us have seen smurf ride. He may be nearer Tim Bourne than we are. Who are we to say he doesnt need a new blade? I know I dont need one, but I still bought one