Lyndon Poskitt: Interview

Lyndon Poskitt is one of the stars of the new Channel 4 TV show Escape but motorcycles and Dakar are his true loves.

• Age- Treinta y ocho – that’s 38
• Famous for- World traveller and Dakar racer
• Number of bikes owned- 30
• Crashes so far- Lost count

 

What are you currently riding?

My Dakar bike is a KTM 450 Rally, so the same as the team bike but with a green and white finish to match my sponsors Motorex. It’s got the factory suspension, so other than the engine and ECU it’s pretty much a full factory bike. My last 450 Rally was carburetted, so the current one feels a lot more powerful. Apart from the odd bolt that has rattled out, it’s been trouble free.

Which living motorcyclist do you most admire?

He’s no longer living, but I most admired Fabrizio Meoni. I first got into rallying by watching Dakar when I was younger and Fabrizio was racing the big KTM 950 through the desert. I always wanted an Africa Twin, until I saw Meoni riding the 950 and then I wanted the KTM because he was such an inspiration.

What’s your worst riding habit?

When I’m racing I drag the rear brake a lot. In the sand stage I went through half a set of brake pads.

If you could have one riding super skill, what would it be?

Speed. I’m comfortable at the pace that I ride, knowing that I’ll be safe. I can ride faster but I risk everything, so I’d like to be able to ride faster without risking everything.

What’s the fastest you’ve ever gone on a bike?

I did over 200mph on my S1000RR and I absolutely shit myself, because I nearly outbraked myself at Silverstone. That was pretty much my last experience on a road bike.

When were you last scared on a bike?

I don’t really get scared. I crashed on Day 4 of the Dakar and while I was in flight all I could think was ‘Shit. Please don’t break anything’ but I don’t really get scared.

How many miles have you done in the last year?

A year ago today I was in New Zealand for Races to Places, so I’d say about 45,000 miles since then. Do I win that? I don’t know anyone that’s done more.

What’s the highest mileage you’ve covered in one day?

1,107 miles. When I lived in Texas I rode to the Grand Canyon to watch the sunset and I missed it by five minutes. I was furious.

What irritates you most on a bike?

The whole gear thing – like needing all the gear to ride. I get frustrated when I’m racing because you need so much stuff. It’s not like a car when you can just jump in and go. It kind of ruins the motorcycling experience.

You’ve got two weeks off: where are you going?

Hawaii or Iceland. They’re both places I’ve not been and you have to fly a bike in there, so it would be special to get to ride a bike around them.

Got one pearl of wisdom for new riders?

I would say just go for it. I’m not Sam Sunderland or Marc Coma – I’ve never been to a motorcycle training school and here I am at the Dakar. I’m just a normal guy that had a job in engineering, so I think if you’ve got a desire to do something just go do it and enjoy it.

Ever fallen off in a car park (or somewhere equally embarrassing)?

I nearly had a bad one at the Dakar. When you come up to a toll booth in South America, they have rows of yellow bricks to keep you in your line. I tried to overtake a car coming out and forgot about the yellow bricks. The front wheel skidded down the side, then the rear wheel and I nearly bit it.

Do you have one indispensable item of kit?

My Leatherman. I have one on every bike.

Which four people would you invite on a Sunday blast? 

I’d invite some of the people I’ve raced rallies with from all over the world. I have a friend in Japan I raced in Mongolia with for instance, so it would be great to get those guys together.

Do you have a tool you couldn’t live without?

At home it would be my digital torque wrench, I love that thing. At Dakar it would be my Motion Pro T handle spanners. I’ve got about ten of them.

Do you adjust your suspension?

I spend some time getting the spring rates right and the oil levels, but generally the little clicker settings I can’t feel the difference. I don’t test hard enough.

If you could have one of your old bikes back, which would it be?

My Husaberg 650 Supermoto that I came 12^th on in the British Championship. That was a good looking bike.

What bike would you never buy?

Yes my old Yamaha FZR600 because it had a misfire that I couldn’t fix, so I just sold it. Never buy anything off me on eBay.

Which road (or track) would you have built on your desert island?

The White Rim Trail in Utah. It’s the most breath-taking scenery.

If you ruled the world, what new law would you pass?

I’d ban nonsense decision making by government, so I’d make common sense a law.

Quickfire

• Fast, intermediate or novice group? Fast
• Mud or tarmac? Both
• Four-stroke or two-stroke? Four-stroke for rallies, two-stroke for enduros
• Dark visor or clear? Clear
• Gloves in or gloves out? Out
• GPS or map? GPS
• Dealer service or DIY? DIY