PRACTICAL SPORT

One can’t help but feel a bit superior to the great unwashed, sitting at the lights in their very clean SUVs. Whilst they have discussions with their smartphones, I’ll be floating along the back streets, smoothly applying power and brakes, getting me to my destination long before they even start to look for a parking spot.

This is the world of the urban sportsbike and it’s best entered on smaller or mid-size machines. Full-size blasters are overkill; the smaller machines make the rider work for maximum safe pace, a riding experience which is very satisfying. Being able to rev the bike without blasting through the speed limit, being able to keep it on the boil without setting land-speed records — heaps of fun.

Options for this type of bike are many and Supersport riders are like any group of people. What they want and what they can afford varies a lot. What isn’t up for debate is they all prefer a bike that can cut the track