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MCN Fleet: A hard weekend leads the ZX-10R to Ibiza

Published: 10 August 2016
  • Sanef tag made French tollbooths a piece of gâteau
    Sanef tag made French tollbooths a piece of gâteau
  • You'd want a week by the seaside after spending a whole weekend sat on this
    You'd want a week by the seaside after spending a whole weekend sat on this
  • With his new tag, Neevesy was always first to do the business at tollbooths
    With his new tag, Neevesy was always first to do the business at tollbooths
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I’m nearing the end of my week in Ibiza after riding here on my Kawasaki ZX-10R. It took the weekend to get here, topped off with an overnight ferry from Barcelona – and bloody good fun it was, too.

Travelling with my mate Bob on his Ducati Multistrada and my brother Ben on his Ducati Panigale R, Saturday involved grinding out 12 hours and 560 miles from the Channel Tunnel to Cahors in southern France. It was all motorway, just to get the job done and spending the least amount of time stopping at services.

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The Kawasaki killed my derrière, but wrists, knees and back were OK. It’s a lot more comfy than the Yamaha R1 I had last year, though.

Ben’s Panigale R is actually roomier and more comfortable than the ZX-10R, but I’ve been insanely jealous of Bob on his Multistrada, which is just the tool for a trip like this.

But the Kawasaki’s engine so smooth and lovely to use on motorway, as is the throttle response, thanks to the self-learning Rapid Bike module I’ve got fitted. High-speed stability is superb, too.

I’ve been using a Sanef toll tag for the first time, which saves loads of time mucking about fiddling with gloves and money at the booths. I wish I’d discovered it years ago.

Cahors is a beautiful little French town and it’s so great to travel by bike with your favourite people, in the sun, and experience places you’ve never been to before.

Sunday’s ride was 350 miles and a long day, but going up and over the Pyrenees, via Andorra, was something special. The roads are magnificent, especially as you drop down into Spain, but a bit busy this time of year.

Now I’m enjoying a few days in the sun, before heading back tomorrow (Friday), via the breathtaking gorges and heavenly roads, near Millau in France.

 

Looking for the perfect two-wheeled companion? Visit MCN Bikes For Sale website or use MCN’s Bikes For Sale App.

By Michael Neeves

MCN Chief Road Tester - Neevesy’s been an MCN Road Tester since 2002. He’s reviewed everything from mopeds to Rossi’s Yamaha M1, and plenty in between He covers tens of thousands of miles a year on the world’s roads and racetracks in his role with MCN, and when he’s not working he’s still on two wheels, racing both modern and classic superbikes for a variety of teams. To cement his position as one of the most influential motorcycling journalists on the planet, Neevesy spent many years as an Elite Instructor at the Ron Haslam Race School, based at the famous Donington Park race circuit. He regularly presents videos on riding tips and road safety, working alongside the likes of Highways England to deliver a strong and consistent message.