Kawasaki staff "Blog to Work" as part of National Ride to Work Week

Monday 16 June marked the start of the annual Motorcycle Industry Association celebration of the many benefits of powered two wheelers, National Ride to Work Week. Kawasaki Motors UK asked staff to write a blog entry about their Monday morning commute; this is what they said.

Dean Clewley – Kawasaki Regional Business Manager - Do not be alarmed! Before I embarked on my early morning ride along the A3 bound for London City, I was alerted to my error of machinery and soon mounted the mind blowing bundle of technology which is my ZX-10R. The choice to use 2 wheels rather than 4 is one of logic that cannot be questioned! I leave my home later, I'll return home sooner, my drain fuel stocks is less as even the power house ZX-10R performs at 40+ MPG. Also those extortionate parking charges need not apply to me as this morning, I am a commuting VIP! But I have not earned these special treatments, oh no, these are simply standard issue to all those who choose to ride to work.

Dean has a choice of Two-Wheelers

Lawrence Griffin – Kawasaki Branch Support - The feeling of freedom you get on a bike is one I feel everyone must experience at some point in life. I rode from Farnborough for the first time today. 36 miles in the car takes me 1 hour 45 minutes to make it to work on time.. On the bike, a grand total of 40 minutes.  For some reason you also seem to get a very smug feeling when you see the faces of all the car drivers queuing while you breeze past the miles of stationary traffic.

Lawrence and his beloved Ninja

Steve Haswell – Kawasaki Technical Trainer - 

Commuting daily from Watford can be a joy or a chore.

Stuck in traffic is definitely a bore.

When I take the bike I'm stationary no more.

Steve - the Urban Poet

Colin Macdonald – Regional Business Manager - As a Regional Manager for Kawasaki, I cover a lot of miles.  From my home in Cheshire, getting onto the M6 in the morning can be time consuming because of several miles of single-file queuing traffic.  City centre congestion can also make arriving on time for business appointments challenging.  To get round this I take my bike whenever I can.   My Z1000SX cuts through the traffic and carries my Tablet and folio for that day’s business meetings.  Less time in traffic also means that I have more time to take the long way home at the end of the day!

Colin's bike saves him time

Andrew Squires – Kawasaki Europe Engine Department – I live in Aylesbury which might look close to Kawasaki in Bourne End but the traffic is quite often horrendous. Riding  to work and back cutting through the traffic is a perfect way to start and finish your day.

Andrew's Ayelsbury commute time is shaved with a bike

Ross Symons – Section Head – Technical& Customer Service - I commute on a daily basis from Aylesbury in Buckinghamshire to Kawasaki Motors UK in Bourne End. This journey is a 50 mile round trip taking approximately 40 minutes each way by bike. I do occasionally travel by car but try to avoid this as must as possible. I say this because when commuting by car I have the “joy” of queuing in traffic which can easily add 20 minutes or more onto my journey.  I enjoy my ride to work and it is good to know that my arrival time at work is always give or take a couple of minutes, whereas when in a car this can vary greatly.  I commute every day by bike as it far more interesting and exciting compared to being sat in a car going nowhere fast. 

Ross doesn't waste time in stationary traffic

Howard Dale – General Manager, Kawasaki Motors UK - It’s time for work – today is different I’m leaving the car at home and going to work on my Versys 1000, I bike I love but don’t get enough time to ride. The sun’s out as I roll through the countryside of Surrey Heath on towards Ascot and then Maidenhead where the jams begin for car drivers. But today IS different instead of a 30 minute crawl through the town, I’m though and out along the side of the Thames and into work at KMUK in just under 40 minutes compared to the hour plus my journey often takes – and – I’m smiling when I arrive!  

Howard has a passion for two wheels

Matthew Callaway – Technical Service Advisor - My journey consists of a 180 mile round trip into KMUK from the sunny seaside town of Bournemouth.  The majority of the route is motorway, which includes the dreaded M4 which seems to be the biggest ‘car park’ and the bug bear of my journey. Without the use of a motorcycle I would be considerably late for work every single day unless I leave at stupid o’clock in the morning.  When I’m filtering through all the stationary cars on the M4 with the majority of them just containing one increasingly frustrated and late to work driver it is clear what the best form of transport is, a MOTORCYCLE……..  

Matt does not have to leave home at "stupid o'clock"

Alan Lunn – Technical Service Advisor - Either a 25 minute ride from Reading to work or a 50 minute ride from Wimbledon. This is in comparison to a 35 minute or 80 minute car journey respectively. The main differences are obvious in the journey time and economy, but maybe the biggest difference is that I can leave a lot later and not be concerned with the ‘golden window’ of traffic opportunity. The time when everyone rolls out of their houses to join the ever increasing queue of cars that form our congestion ridden world. It is really nice to turn up for work bright eyed and bushy tailed.

Alan has the "choice" of two commutes

Richard Worth - My ride in starts at Yeading, Middlesex and heads out to Bourne End, Bucks. The commute is 19 miles each way and takes on average around 25 minutes on the bike. Traffic black spots tend to be all the small roads and roundabouts till I reach the M40 and then getting past the M25. Doing this trip in a car has taken 1.5 hours so the bike is the most sensible option and also the most fun regardless of the weather.

Richard's commute involves two grid-locked motorways

Ahsan Nabi – Sales & Market Analyst - I often am asked, "Why don't you ride your bike to work every day, it must save you so much time'. In truth I do not because I sometimes have to use the car for varying reasons, however when I do use the bike I can certainly notice the difference in journey times, fuel cost and my general mood for the day. I travel from West London to South Buckinghamshire utilising some main roads such as the A312 and A40 and the M40 motorway. The journey that would normally take me an hour by car is almost halved when using the bike. Also, on two wheels, I am able to filter through the traffic hot-spots that I would normally encounter on these roads meaning I have a stress free journey. Best of all is the cost saving; to travel to and from work each day by car for a week would costs me £85 in fuel whereas on the bike it only cost £25 a week.

Ahsan chooses a bike to save on fuel and time

Martin Lambert – PR & Communications Manager - Commuting – a word that conjures up images of traffic jams, people having to stand up for their whole train journey, crowded smelly buses and bad tempers; and that’s before work even starts ! For me the journey to and from Kawasaki’s offices is always more enjoyable on a motorcycle… but riding is only half the joy. Being able to leave for work later and still get in on time, to predict when you will arrive almost to the minute and enjoy the thrill that motorcycles deliver is what makes such a contrast to the drudgery that others endure each and every working day. 

For Martin enjoying the commute is essential

Richard Metcalfe - Technical Service Manager - Getting in to work early means I can miss the traffic when I'm driving but being in a car means I'm still sat in traffic on the way home after the office closes. On a bike I know both journeys will take the same time and the journey to and from work is a lot more fun as well.

Richard can predict his journey time

Ross Burridge - Racing Coordinator - "I live in Ascot, Berkshire, approximately 16 miles away from the office, and to be honest, being able to use a motorcycle to commute to work is a god send. There are so many points along my route that get congested in the morning rush hour, and my journey time is typically halved as I slice through the traffic on two wheels. Add to that the fuel costs that are saved on the bike versus my car makes commuting in this way so much more preferable."

Ross takes 50% off his journey time with a bike

All on bikes - All on time @ Kawasaki Motors UK 

Ride to Work web site

Pedal Power - Gorrick Kawasaki 100 Enduro Challenge

People with long(ish) memories may just recall that, in the UK, Kawasaki once sold a range of mountain bikes. These were not £99 specials with questionable brakes and clunky gears. These were high quality bikes for the enthusiast who knew their Shimano from their Campagnolo.

The link between Kawasaki and mountain bikes has been reinvigorated in the past few years as KMUK sponsors the Gorrick 100 mountain bike endure each Spring. And with the General Manager of Kawasaki in the UK entered among the hopefuls, the chance to take to two wheels powered by muscle alone was embraced by a full field of entrants.

The Kawasaki display at the Gorrick 100

With riders having a choice of 7, 5, 4, 3, 2 or just1 lap of a classic 10 mile enduro course, the terrain was fun, but challenging as it wound its way through Windmill Hill and the surrounding land, with single track sections aplenty.

Every rider who completed their challenge could look forward to a finisher’s medal and, for the more driven, a range of trophies and prizes including some special items donated by Kawasaki.

  

Whatever distance entrants chose to ride the Kawasaki Enduro is always a challenge. It can be just as tough for the one lap newcomers as for the crazy seven lappers completing 70 miles off road.

Either way, to finish is very rewarding after one or many 10 mile laps of glorious fun trails into the Windmill and Porridgepot Hills near Deepcut in Surrey.

Howard Dale completed his two laps

For the spectators there was more to see and do besides watching the competitors with a display of Kawasaki motorcycles and representation from off-roader supreme, Mick Extance along with bikes from his Kawasaki supported off-road motorcycle experience.

For some very lucky riders, Kawasaki was proud to present British Super Bike Tickets and a day at the Mick Extance Experience.

Amanda Brooks - a seven lap hero

Two such winners were Tim Dunford riding for Team Mountain Trax Vauxhall Motors who blitzed the seven laps in just 5hrs 17m, and Amanda Brooks (Freeborn Cycles / Hansgrohe) completing in 6hrs 31m.

Tim Dunford rode 70 miles off road

As for Kawasaki’s Howard Dale, he opted for the two lapper completing 20 miles off-road in 2hrs 20m. Speaking afterwards he praised the organisers and hoped that the profile of the Gorrick club had been further enhanced.

"So many people who ride motorcycles either competitively or for leisure also ride mountain bikes as a hobby. With so much state of the art technology now in bicycles the attraction is clear. We hope everyone enjoyed the Gorrick event and seeing our road and off-road motorcycles on display. We hope that Tim and Amanda enjoy their prizes”.

Kawasaki plays host to Tom Sykes in Japan

For the first time since securing the 2013 World Superbike title, Kawasaki Racing Team rider, Tom Sykes, has visited the Kawasaki factory in Akashi, Japan.

Site of a huge Kawasaki motorcycle production facility, the enormous Akashi works complex is additionally home of the company’s racing research and development department who were keen to congratulate the Ninja rider who won nine of the 27 races in the 2013 WSBK Championship series.

Eager to thank all those who played a part in his success, Sykes also wanted to meet as many Kawasaki employees as possible during his brief stay in Japan. With the privilege of a factory tour – along with the Kawasaki Motors Europe Race Planning Manager (Steve Guttridge) and the Manager of the Kawasaki Racing Team (Guim Roda) and crew chief (Marcel Duinker) – Tom saw a variety of machines being built.

L>R Marcel, Tom, Steve and Guim 

For many production line and quality assurance staff, the chance to meet the person humorously referred to as “Mr Kawasaki” was a rare treat. Many were ready with personal items for the World Champion to sign and to have the opportunity of being photographed with the 28 year old rider from Huddersfield in Yorkshire.

“I have an engineering background myself”, commented Tom. “To see bikes being made and witness the skill of the workers plus their amazing attention to detail was really fascinating. There were plenty of Ninja ZX-10R’s being made for markets across the world and the production line workers took the chance to have a group photo taken which was really a really nice moment"   

On the production line

                                                                                                                                                                From the factory floor, Tom and his entourage were also allowed another rarely granted privilege, a chance to visit part of the Kawasaki motorcycle collection housed within the buildings at the entrance to vast manufacturing complex that also produces industrial robots and gas turbines as well as aviation and aerospace components.

“I got a chance to see one of our former Superbikes, a lovely ZX-7RR ridden to a memorable double WSBK victory by Hitoyasu Izutsu at Sugo, Japan in 2000, the same year he won the Japanese Superbike Championship. To be honest, if you left me with the display of historic bikes for a whole day I would not have minded. That said, there was a tight schedule to stick to and some important people to meet”.

Racing legends

Among those keen to shake Tom’s hand was Mr Shigehiko Kiyama, President of Kawasaki Heavy Industries Motorcycle & Engine Company. Taking time from his busy schedule, Mr Kiyama discussed Tom’s racing season and numerous victories with both Tom and his Crew Chief, Marcel Duinker.

Meeting Mr Kiyama

At the end of the meeting, Mr Kiyama congratulated Tom once more and presented him with an ornate and highly prized Samurai helmet, a gesture of thanks from the entire Kawasaki family. Speaking after the presentation Mr Kiyama said.

Samurai helmet gift from KHI

"KHI was delighted to play host to World Superbike Champion, Tom Sykes in Japan. All Kawasaki family members would like to congratulate Tom and the Kawasaki Racing Team on their outstanding achievement".

Shakey and Stalker in the KRC Spotlight

Recently Kawasaki Riders Club members were given a chance to ask their Superbike heroes some questions. From the hundreds of brilliant, funny – and sometimes left field – questions five lucky winners were selected and their questions put to a brace of the most popular, long-serving and successful Superbike riders to have ever swung a leg over a Ninja, Shane “Shakey” Byrne and Chris “The Stalker” Walker. Here is what they said:

Adrian Knight asked:

“What are the happiest memories of your career so far, and also which memories would you most like to forget!?  Also, who would you say is the toughest rider you have raced against?”

Shane Byrne Answered:

“Well, that’s three questions in one LOL, I’d love to say my happiest memories of my career are yet to come!! Winning my 1st race, my Brands Hatch WSB double and last year’s final round are pretty high up there though!!

Double Brands Win

In terms of lows (not Lowes – ha ha), 2000 was a pretty bad year, I got hurt bad a lot that year, a broken back and a split liver in two separate crashes!!!

Toughest rider, not too sure to be honest, I think if you’re a clean rider you get ridden cleanly against. I remember Ruben Xaus trying to stripe me a couple of times, a BIG block pass put paid to that, what goes around comes around!!!

Xaus comes off second

Chris Walker’s response:

Happiest memory? Easily the World Superbike Win at Assen. Pouring rain and went off just after the start. It was a fairy tale race. I literally rode from last to first having just got engaged to Rachel the week before!

Victory at Assen

Time to forget? My time on the Shell Advance Honda in 500GP's – too many maybe’s and too many disappointments to make up for the excitement of being in GP’s.

A time to forget

Toughest rider? So many people think they are tough but it’s a tough business anyway so it takes something special to stand out as being exceptional. For my money, the “never give up” attitude of Troy Bayliss stands out. Whatever he rode, he rode it to win… and who can forget him coming out of retirement and winning a MotoGP race – now that’s tough!

Bayliss is super tough

Simon Lee was keen to find out what advice the pair of Kawasaki veterans had for those just starting out saying: If someone was starting out in competitive racing what would be the best advice you could give them from your own wealth of experience?'

Chris Walker is typically enigmatic saying: “I now work with young up & coming racers at the Chris Walker Race School. The advice I always give them is you have to be prepared to lose to win. It’s a learning curve, I am still learning…. If I don’t qualify well, or do as well in the race as I expected to, I don’t just turn my back, I analyse it and learn from it.

Shakey is more succinct commenting:

“I guess you have to have a dream and follow it. Listen to only those you know and trust because all paddocks are full of know it all’s that are full of sh*t!!

A welcome question from David Cook who wanted to know: Of all the great motorcycle riders, which one would you like to have raced against?'

Considering his light the blue touch paper style – no surprise that Shakey nominates all action hero and recent Suzuka 8 Hour returnee, Kevin Schwantz.

Schwantz never gave up

For Chris Walker the chance to reflect on one of the highlights of his brief 500cc GP career: “Rossi...& I have! He is a legend!

Stalker has raced the greats

Still on the subject of past glories Alan Pucknell asked 'If there is one race in your career that you could go back and race in again, for whatever reason, good or bad, which one would it be?'

With his own memories of GP’s (after a stint in the early MotoGP paddock) Shane Byrne nominated a memorable Italian round saying:

“Mugello Moto GP 2004. I got up to 4th place right behind some Italian guy called Valentino. I tried too hard and made a big mistake at the final turn and dropped to 10th at the finish, still in the points but not where I should have ended up:

Byrne had a year in MotoGP

If anyone thinks Chris Walker would give an answer other than this then they might as well pack up and go home:

Donington British Superbikes 2000 - last round, last race... All I needed was a valve spring retainer to last another five laps & I would have been British Superbike Champion. What would I change? Simple: I'd make sure the modified updated ones that Suzuki sent us the week after were already fitted!

But for a broken spring eh...

The final question for our racing legends Patrick Mead asked about the ever-present issue of rider safety:

 'While we all accept racing can be dangerous and no one likes to see riders get hurt, if there was one thing you could change to help protect riders what would it be?'

Pragmatically, Shane Byrne reflected on the modern pressures of racing saying:

“I'd take away the pressure riders get put under to return too quickly whilst still injured, it's a cut throat business racing bikes, the second your off your bike someone else will be back handily trying to get on it”

And, for Chris Walker, the amusing yet wholly understandable plea for riders to have:

“Free BUPA private health care”

With thanks to:

Simon Lee, Patrick Meads, David Cook ,Alan Pucknell and Adrian Knight. Plus, of course, Shane “Shakey” Byrne and Chris “Stalker” Walker

Kawasaki Riders Club