So today I drove down with a mate (with the Bandit 1200) to the Alexandra Palace to have a look around the show. This was formerly the Road & Racing show or something similar but has evolved from being a trade show for bike racers to a mini-version of the main NEC November bike show (and that much further South too).

Disappointing to see that Kawasaki didn’t see fit to have a ZRX on their stand. Triumph, on the other hand, had one of the quite amazingly wonderful Daytona 675 on theirs. It had a different saddle - presumably from their options list - and a seat cover for the pillion that added to its good looks and no doubt comfort too.

Very narrow-waisted, being a triple, but for such a small bike it was amazingly comfortable for a six-footer like me. I really, really want one for trackdays now.

The Blue Flame Perfomance stand also had a 675 on their stand fitted with their exhaust which appeared to have two stoppers for the outside exhaust holes held in place with circlips, presumably so you can remove them for more power and noise.

I ended up with a bargain: a pair of Bridgestone BT012SS tyres (like I already have fitted for fast road/trackday use) for £150. Cheapest online deal I can find is £185 and I usually pay over £200 for a set.

I also bought a rear brake line kit - BSR Aerotek braided hose and fittings - and as I walked away from the stand, there was a nagging doubt about it … confirmed when I got home and discovered the same set sitting on the shelf in the garage!

The final purchase was a full-sized numberplate for the bike trailer to match the ST200’s as I’ll be towing with that this year, with a mention of the Motorcycle Prizes web site URL along the bottom.