NEC Memories

Thanks Marc for road testing the best bike – to me at least – the Kawasaki’s Versys.

It took my breath away when I first saw it at the NEC Show and the guy on the Kawasaki stand said it is not here in the UK until February.

I had gone to the Show with son Robert, who owns a Ducati 848, his wife Amanda, Grandson Kevin (17 now a DT125-R rider), and family friend Shaun, who rides a Suzuki GSX-R.

It was a family day out, but my main interest was the limited edition Triumph Bonneville. I am a lover of British bikes and my mis-spent use was drooling over the likes of the Norton Dominators of the 50’s – AJSs, BSAs etc in the ‘Green-un and Blue -un magazines and then this little newspaper type bike magazine appeared on my local newsagent shelves, something called ‘Motor Cycle News’

So my back ground is in single or parallel twins and I was lucky enough to own a ’55 99 Dominator, and the worst bike the late 60’s – the Bonneville.

On the Triumph stand I was able to sit and appraise the Bonnie, but it didn’t give me any kind of thrill at all, but then I saw the Versys. Oh my goodness, sex on wheels.

Absolutely gorgeous and thanks to your road test and a bit of good fortune later on this year, perhaps, just perhaps I may end up at my local dealership asking for a test ride.

The rest of my family were not so impressed, of course. Rob and Shaun are superbike fans. Kevin feinted a the sight of the KTM, at least Amanda liked the Versys, but only the naked black one.