Heed 505

If you’re a full blown moto speed freak, it doesn’t really get any better than flogging six brand-new, rainbow-colored Supersports around Willow Springs International Raceway. Well actually, it does… Motorcycle USA is in amidst of its seventh annual Supersport Shootout and despite awaking to rain drenched roads accompanied by ominously gloomy skies, not to mention an air temperature hovering in the mid-30s, the first day of our test went off without a hitch.
 
When we arrived at Willow this morning the track was completely soaked. Surprisingly, the less than ideal conditions turned out to be a bonus, as it allowed us to drive our BMW M cars in order to dry out the racing line as well as lay down a bit of fresh rubber. In doing so, I was able to learn some of the nuances of navigating Willow’s ultra-fast 2.5-mile road course, as well as some of the finer points of operating on four wheels as opposed to two. Driving in a calm, quiet environment courtesy of the car’s enclosed cockpit gave me the chance to slowly dissect the proper line going through the speedy portions of the track such as Turn 8 and 9.
 
When the track finally dried out, we received the green-light to begin riding the bikes—and wouldn’t you know—the sections of the track that normally mess with my brain, became just another corner. This made it easier to devote attention to the individual personalities of the motorcycles as well as the impressive new Michelin Power One tires. That’s right, just when you’d thought that Michelin had fallen off the roadracing tire map, they’ve come back with an all-new line of aggressive road tires for the racetrack… and they’re good, real good! Look for a full review in the upcoming weeks.
 
So you’re probably wondering which Supersport is the best? Is the tried-and-true ’09 Honda CBR600RR going to take home a possible third consecutive win in class? Or have the folks over at Triumph finally given its Daytona 675 enough TLC for it to nab top honors like it did in 2006? Or will it be Yamaha’s YZF-R6, Suzuki’s GSX-R600, Ducati’s 848, or even the all-new Kawasaki ZX-6R? You’ll know for sure if a few short weeks… Stay tuned.