Boring blue sky. Boring long straight road. No traffic.It would be rude not to go out and play! This bit of road was my warm-up for a really classic day out riding. Roads dry and clear. I concentrated on straightish roads rather than mountain passes so long straights and then a right-angle bend at the end or maybe a zig-zag down from a plateau. Snowy mountains in the far distance and eventually, other sports bikers coming out to play too. Back to Marseille for dinner with friends.

First impressions count: despite high bars the Z1000SX was easy to handle around the dealer’s yard, slow speed manoeuvring like on a bike skills test. Out on the road, a smooth gearbox and of course lots of power. Surprisingly little wind noise, which, together with the riding position, gives a deceptive impression on speed. Not that easy to read the speedo and rev counter in sunlight nor the various other indications about ABS and traction control; big and stupid displays work best when you’re a rider working hard, the SX display is cluttered, small and dim.
Still riding urban style, the SX isn’t great for manoeuvring past traffic at the lights, I couldn’t pinpoint it to one characteristic but it’s not a bike I’d like to ride for commuting; I’m not thinking of an SX for that but I do visit towns and cities in between mountain pass roads.

Read more: Test ride: 2017 Kawa Z1000SX “Sports Tourer”

Day out rebuilding high intensity riding skills after the winter lay off. Hazy sunshine and a bit fresh up Mt. Sainte Baume at 650 m. or so altitude; not much traffic this weekday so pleasant riding. Yes there's a sinous hill at the end of the road to the right of the photo, down to Nans-les-Pins, not quite as challenging as the Col de l'Espigoulier (723 m..) up from Gemeos but a good workout nonetheless and a change: I ride the Espigoulier a lot!
Warm sunshine on my face for a lunchtime stop for a Tarte Tropezienne and coffee at a friendly roadside boulangerie at St. Maximin. Another stop at La Roquebrussanne for an interesting conversation with an artist-potter making reproductions of Roman ceramics. Then back on the RR for a brisk ride back past the gates of the Paul Ricard track at Le Castellet. Wearing a hi-viz jacket over my ventilated (summer) leathers works well for a practice day where the tendency to balloon isn't a problem as I'm only working at lowish speeds. Keeping the body core warm is definitely an advantage.

My red CBR600RR has been a very good ride. Now I am booked for the GMLE Summercamp in Imst in Austria, it's time to consider a new bike. Following up from my researches on the Kawa stand at Motorcycle Live 2016, I'm booking with a Marseille Kawasaki dealer for a test ride on a 2017 Z1000SX. You don't get much time as a test ride though hopefully enough to see how I get on.