As the evening at each dealership came to a close, the three regional grand prizes were drawn and lucky winners informed. Already in possession of a Double Red photo album of the 2011 BSB season, more than one thought this to be the top prize, but better was to come!

Tom Painter, who rode the ZZR1400 on the tour, is typical of the three winners in not quite believing he had won a chance borrow any Kawasaki road bike of his choice for a month that included the escorted tour across Europe and VIP treatment at journeys end, the Brno round of World Superbikes.

“The only thing I've ever won it two quid on the euromillions, so finding out I'd won something like this was really quite bizarre and surreal. I was at the launch night when Bridge in Exeter announced the dealer winners, and I was pretty happy with their first prize of the 2011 BSB book - but to receive a phone call the following day telling me I'd won was a little confusing. "You've won first prize mate!". I think I replied something like, "I know I was there." When it finally clicked that they were talking about the Kawasaki main prize I nearly had to pick myself up off the floor!”

The same was true of Karl, a customer of Wheels in Peterborough who found out the following day that he had won the top prize in his region and chose a Versys 1000 as his long term loan. “Neil of Wheels explained to me who he was and the full list of the prize and I think my reply was something like “which one do I chose?” When he said all of it and I get to take the bike to Brno as well I just couldn’t believe it, I was totally wrapped. I had to go back to work for the rest of the afternoon my work mates couldn’t do anything with me I was just in shock.”

For Paul, the choice of machine was a little harder as he explains. “The Z750R was my first idea, but after thinking about the mileage involved I realised I would be better with a bike with a fairing and there was something I really liked about the looks of the Z1000SX”.

With bikes delivered in good time to become familiar, the three set off along with the MCi motorcycle tour guide on their riding trip across Europe to Czechoslovakia and Brno, a distance of over 700 miles door to door. With all three winners new to continental touring, the feeling that this was a voyage of discovery only added to the excitement.

As Tom Painter says; “This was a massive step into the unknown. Asking around for advice, it seemed to be 'pack for all weathers, then throw out half of what you plan to take. I still managed to pack too much, and not enough of the right stuff though!, a view echoed by Karl Abbot riding the Versys 1000.

“The furthest I have been on a bike previous to this was the Isle of Man and that was over twenty five years ago on a Kawasaki Z550”

“My first 100 miles on the ZZR were a blur of huge grins, surprising lean angles and more dead flies than I could count. The thing that stood out for me most of all though was just the way it took everything and seemed to almost ask 'yeah, and?' and just how easy it was to ride. Far smoother than I was expecting, but very easy to handle. It was a quiet, refined and comfortable cruiser devouring motorway miles effortlessly and with so little wind buffeting despite the bike's low stance.”

Karl collected the Versys 1000 from Wheels in Peterborough on his way home from work one day.

“Joe at Wheels explained all the controls the ABS and the full and low power modes. With a full tank of petrol off I went home. I had a good look round the bike and then out for a ride. The first hundred miles just went, the bike is so easy to ride once moving."

Come the departure date, luggage on board and fully familiar with their motorcycles, the trio made their way to Dover to rendevous with tour leader, John Bennett;

“When we met at Dover we had a briefing on the boat on how to ride as a group”, says John “What a great bunch of lads, they gelled very quickly and rode as a group very well. In fact, two of the three prize winners have already told me they will be joining us on an MCi tour next year!”

Traversing Europe on their favoured Kawasaki machines the trio experienced both the fast paced yet orderly environment of German Autobahn’s and then into the Czech republic. As Tom comments;

“The roads in Germany were simply astonishing. Everyone drives so well and courteously, changes lanes properly and when required, there's so little 'middle lane hogging' that travelling at speed on the de-restricted autobahn is an absolute breeze”.

Karl adds;

“We didn’t know really what to expect in Czechoslovakia, but the locals where friendly we stayed in a good hotel, found a few bars we liked and ate good food – what could be better. Prague is a place I will go back to visit again, there is lots to see there”; a sentiment amplified by Paul, “I had no expectations of the Czech Repulblic, yet I thoroughly enjoyed it. It’s beautiful place with great roads, good pubs, cheap beer and nice people”.

Of course, the destination was something very special, the chance to see the Kawasaki World Superbike and Supersport teams in the historic location of Brno…. and perhaps maybe the possibility of a podium or two”.

“The racing was good and Brno is circuit worth going to”, confirmed Karl. “We spent some time in the Kawasaki garage and it was interesting to watch the crew working on the bikes in the morning warm up. In the afternoon, we watched both races out on the circuit found a good spot and stayed there most of the day. Tom and Loris both had good outings and we nearly saw Tom take a win, almost like it was scripted!”

And what races they were, with Sykes in a close second twice, Baz joining him for his first WSBK podium and a glorious Ninja 1-2 in the hard-fought Supersport race. With that the trio and their guide from MCi tours retired to their hotel to make ready for their long but enjoyable journey home secure in the knowledge that they had seen their heroes excel and that the hundreds of enjoyable miles of road lay ahead between Brno and the coast.

With around 1500 miles under their wheels at tour end, and no major mishaps bar a non-Kawasaki machine temporarily coming to a halt, all three enjoyed the bikes, the WSBK experience and, most especially, their first real taste of continental touring.

Versys rider Karl said of the trip and machine: “I enjoyed every minute riding this bike in the rain or the sun either short journeys or the long journey from home to Brno and back. The Versys 1000 is a joy to ride from the commute to work to blasting down the motorways or riding on country roads.

Of the Z1000SX, Paul Ingram said, “I really enjoyed the SX, its so nice and comfy -certainly more comfortable than what I am used to. After the mileage achieved on this trip I’m now seriously thinking about buying one.

And finally, the continent mashing ZZR1400, what were Tom’s final impressions of the bike?

“By the end of the trip I was not only smitten, I was pretty needy about it. I got on my Yamaha to drop it in for a service and just couldn't get my head around how different (better!) the ZZR really was. Plus, it looks fantastic, the green is beautiful and it's so well proportioned!”

Three bikes, three riders and three funds of memories that will last for many years to come. The Brno trip and extended bike loan turned out to be the perfect top prize for the three countrywide winners and, for two of them at least, it might just mean that they purchase the same model of machine that they rode.

For Aimee Osmond of Kawasaki Motors UK’s marketing department, the considerable effort coordinating the prizes was obviously worth the hours involved.

“We were grateful to John and Alistair at MCi tours for being our tour partner on the trip to Brno and to the Kawasaki World Superbike team for their hospitality. It evident that all three riders had a wonderful time and we have received kind notes and emails from all of them thanking us, and especially their local dealers, Wheels of Peterborough, Bridge in Exeter and Kirkcaldy Kawasaki.”

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