Conor Cummins gets first ride of Tyco Suzuki Superbike ahead of 2012 TT
Thursday 26 April 2012
TT
Isle of Man TT star Conor Cummins says he was smiling from ‘ear-to-ear’ throughout his first test of the Tyco Suzuki Superbike he will race at the 2012 Isle of Man TT fuelled by Monster Energy.
The Manxman got his first experience of Suzuki’s new GSX-R1000 Superbike, fully liveried in Tyco Suzuki colours, at a two-day test in Northern Ireland this week.
Cummins also rode a Superstock specification GSX-R1000 and the British Championship-winning GSX-R600.
All bikes were fitted with road racing specification Pirelli tyres in preparation for upcoming international road races, including the 2012 TT in the Isle of Man.
The 26-year-old Ramsey resident completed 200 laps during the two-day test at Kirkistown in sunny conditions, despite the rest of the UK having to deal with incessant rain.
He said:
“That was a really productive two-day test on the Tyco Suzukis at Kirkistown. The team built the Superbike up and it gave me a chance to clock up the miles in readiness for the start of the international roads”
“200 laps certainly taught me a lot about the big Superbike. The new GSX-R is an awesome bike to ride and I was smiling from ear-to-ear from start to finish. I really do believe it will be a great bike for the roads.”
He added:
“The weather was great for both days despite what the forecast predicted, which meant we could try different tyres. The Pirellis are pretty impressive anyway, but the ones we ran at the test were even more impressive, which fills me with confidence going forward.”
“We also used the test to try and get a good base setting dialled in for the Superstock bike, which we did and can now go to Oulton Park knowing where we need to be. All in all I am really pleased with how the test went.”
Team Manager Philip Neill said:
“No one could have predicted the conditions: sunny, 15 degrees and virtually no wind at all.”
“Conor tested all three bikes, which was important for us. It was purely a shakedown in preparation for the international roads and to run through the Pirelli options on offer.”
“It was good for the guys to work with him and get an understanding of how he likes to set a bike up and where he needs to be on the Superbike. It was all very positive.”