COP THAT!
If you see a police liveried 2016 Yamaha FJR1300 beaming out its blues and twos, you’d best think twice about doing a runner…
WORDS: ROOTSY PICS: CHIPPY WOOD/FB ARCHIVE
I’d always had this preconceived notion that I could outrun the cops, based on no sound logic or evidence whatsoever. Big, heavy bikes ridden according to the Police’s roadcraft bible would be no match for my whippet-like sports weapon piloted by a man with my talent. I’d leave PC Plod for dead, race to the county border, and stick my finger up to The Man. No sweat.
On roads around Almeria, the Yamaha could be hustled along spiritedly...
But having just hooned round Almeria’s turn-laden track at a decent lick on one of the most popular pork-based patrol bikes, I’m about to start practising my meek, innocent, sorry-looking face – because in the right hands this new Yamaha FJR1300 can do some quite remarkable things. It’s no R1, of course, but to dismiss its sporting ability would be doing it a disservice. Having used the FJR since its launch in 2001, maybe the police know what they’re doing after all…