TAS Tyco Suzuki testing ended by rain

TAS Tyco Suzuki’s second day of testing at Kirkistown, County Down was hit by rain just after midday but all three riders clocked laps in the morning sunny, but cold conditions.

Alastair Seeley tried several different suspension linkages in a bid to cure the pumping on two of the faster corners on the 1.53mile course but the British Supersport champion was happy with how the two days had gone.

He was hoping to get back on course late in the afternoon once the track had dried..
He told MCN: “We’ve been working on the rear and I’m getting a good feel for how the bike responds to different links.

“We’ve still another option to try but we ran out of time when the rain hit. Overall, I’m really happy with the bike. I like the new engine spec and the grip levels we have with the bike.”

Track conditions were so cold that it was difficult to maintain tyre temperature after five laps so neither Seeley nor Josh Brookes did any race simulation runs.

Brookes was aiming to test a factory swing arm in the afternoon but just as the team started to change the component, the rain feel. Brookes said: “I’m pretty happy with the bike.

“It would have been good to get out in the fully dry conditions on the bike with the different swing-arm but overall the test has been a good shakedown.”

TT star Conor Cummins continued clocking laps on the superstock bike which does not yet have a Power Commander of quickshifter that he’ll use in racing.

He said: “We’ve stiffened the rear to stop the bike wheelying so much. I’m still trying to get my head around this bike works but at least it feels like mine now. It’s mega and everything we’ve done at the test has been positive.

“I’ve not been chasing lap times, but focussing on familiarisation with the bike… and the team. I couldn’t have asked for a better bunch to work with.”