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FIRST TIME ON A RACETRACK<br />
generation of the 1290 ‘Beast’.<br />
90% new for 2020 the thrilling<br />
amounts of torque from<br />
the v-twin was matched with a<br />
robust and stable chassis that<br />
genuinely inspired confidence.<br />
The bike tractored out of the<br />
tightest country lane with<br />
ease and a handful of throttle<br />
was met with the feeling that<br />
the bike could shift to another<br />
line at will.<br />
At Portimao the road-going<br />
1290s were parked outside<br />
the pitboxes. A walk through<br />
the garage delivered the sight<br />
of another set of Beasts; this<br />
time in track trim, with four<br />
models in full PowerParts race<br />
guise adorned with slick tyres<br />
and warmers attached. With<br />
the bikes warm and almost<br />
ready to go it was at this point<br />
that the words and guidance<br />
MCWILLIAMS: “IT WAS PRETTY SPECIAL: GETTING MY KNEE<br />
DOWN FOR THE FIRST TIME! I BURNT A HOLE THROUGH MY<br />
JEANS! I DON’T THINK ANYBODY WOULD GET ON A CIRCUIT<br />
NOW WITH A PAIR OF JEANS...”<br />
of McWilliams offered something<br />
akin to a soothing effect.<br />
The 55 year old has already<br />
spun a number of test and<br />
demo laps at Portimao on<br />
the launch and thanks to the<br />
prompting of KTM personnel<br />
like Street Marketing Manager<br />
Riaan Neveling and Product<br />
Manager Adriaan Sinke has<br />
agreed to act as a point of<br />
guidance. I casually ask if he<br />
remembers his ‘first time’.<br />
“It must have been thirty-five/<br />
six years ago; at the aptlynamed<br />
Nutts Corner raceway,<br />
close to where I live,” the<br />
Irishman smiles. “We had production<br />
bikes with street tyres<br />
and it was quite a special<br />
moment. We had no restrictions,<br />
no traffic and could go<br />
as fast as we wanted without<br />
worrying about speed traps<br />
or getting pulled-over. I had<br />
no idea what I was doing! If I<br />
went back today then I would<br />
have sought some instruction<br />
or direction beforehand.<br />
It was pretty special: getting<br />
out there and getting my knee<br />
down for the first time! I burnt<br />
a hole through my jeans! I<br />
don’t think anybody would<br />
get on a circuit now with a<br />
pair of jeans. At that point I<br />
realised I really wanted to do<br />
more. We also ventured down<br />
south to a circuit near Dublin<br />
called Mondello Park. It was a<br />
little better. Then Kirkistown.<br />
They are all within a couple of<br />
hours of each other.”<br />
I’m doing my best ‘all the<br />
gear, no idea’ impersonation<br />
thanks to the people at Alpinestars.<br />
My Techair-ready<br />
Specter jacket is the ideal fit<br />
and the V2 pants with knee<br />
sliders (being optimistic)<br />
could not be any more comfortable.<br />
Black and white SMX<br />
V2 boots complete the
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