In our experience these can be a bit hit and miss on a racetrack with stock settings. This actually turned out to be a surprisingly good example. Normally within just a few miles on the road, or a couple laps of the track you need to reach for the tools to sort the suspension. But this bike needed no such attention and handled very well on stock settings. It's a big and slightly porky bike compared to the Blade, but it still flew round Mallory Park.

The excellent motor helped keep the lap times down. You need to rev it hard to get it to give its best, but it's very strong when you do. And the induction roar sounds the business, encouraging further thrashing.

Braking is very strong and though there was a bit of fade on the track they could always be relied upon for a sterling stopping service on the road. Roomy riding position suits longer stints in the saddle, and generously sized fairing aids the touring potential. Dated it may be, but it can still cut the mustard in the right hands.