We had a sunny day, lots of beer and all of the parts needed to fix the bike after Mikey's off at druid, Brands Hatch. The scene was set for a top day of maintenance and idealistically we'd planned a ride out the following day.

In the book "Zen and the art of motorcycle maintenance" Robert Pirsig mentions that the right part may not be available. A lesson Mikey learned by experience with the Kill switch on his SV1000S K5.

Progress was fast initially, fairing off, foot peg and clip on handlebar went on quickly. Hampered somewhat by the need to remove the fuel tank and airbox we pressed on only to find that the new kill switch had an 8 pin connector, and we needed 10... After completely dismantling both assembly's we decided that 95 pounds for the correct part was worth it to avoid dodgy wiring melting the electronic ignition of a 3 and a half grand bike. The Suzuki SV K5 has two different types of this part so choose carefully when ordering, an expensive casualty of motorcycle maintenance.

Unfortunately only one bike made it out on Sunday.

Who knew? A tricked out triumph Bonneville twin could be so much fun on the track!

Last Tuesday Mikey, Tim and myself set off for a novice track session at Brands hatch. I booked because it was cheap and although I don't own a sports machine; this was an experience worth the coin. (£75)

Started off with briefing, making sure everyone was present and correct... I had to borrow a helmet from Mikey's girlfriend as the cheapo thing that I replaced my Arai with wasn't motorsport approved.

I tried db testing without baffles in, no go, 150db with Arrow 2-2 system and no baffles. The limit for this session was 102... Awesome.

All three of us sorted we waited, I was noise tested again and eventually set free into the pit garage. The pros had been going all day and were getting debreifed in the superbike school, somehow we found ourselves sitting in the classroom with them, then realised. Oh.

Our evening session began with 3 slow laps. Then we went out for twenty minute sessions, intermediate/advanced went first and then…Amazing! I never expected the Bonneville to be anything but a hindrance, it may be a café racer but most of the machines on track were super sports rockets. It was simply glorious, no brake fade, full throttle through pit corner and whoosh. Pegs down, blinding fun.

I was passed by a higher end sports bike, maybe once every two laps, but all in all the bonne held it’s own.

Before the session I was truly intimidated by the water cooled, high compression sports rockets in the pit lane, at the end I couldn’t have been happier.

Unfortunately Mikey was not enjoying the same advantage, his bored out V twin savaged him in the last session, on the last exit of druid the famous hairpin and we’re still repairing his bike.

Thankfully no one was hurt, although apparently the pain of riding pillion home still stings...