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on the Isle of Man. Anyone else? I went in 2003 and it was the best! Just watching it and seeing the places I went to and the roads we rode gives me a big silly grin again!

I'd love to go again but I doubt if it will happen - there are so many other bikey things I want to do - but everyone should go once. It's not just about the racing, there's so much more to it! Just about the biggest bike meet ever - the whole island is a bike meet! So many different people, different bikes, old and new, racing or just being there.

But if you want to go next year you need to start planning NOW! Cos all the ferry tickets get sold out sooo quick. The best way to go is with a group to really enjoy the party atmosphere - preferably a group where someone has been before. I have absolutely no axe to grind here but I would recommend anyone to go with BiketoursUK - it's not like going with an organised group, more like being with a group of mates! (Bill Roughton used to post on a previous incarnation of RS, think he was VFRman)

If I hadn't done it in 2003 I would never have ridden the mountain on Mad Sunday cos it was that same year I duffed my leg up and ended up on a trike! So don't keep saying "I'd like to do that sometime" - do it NOW!

i've been watching itv4's coverage along with the history of the TT.
brilliant, i need to go.

Yes, I watched it Saturday and Sunday .... it's set to record today .... hopefully there will be some racing today.

I have now got to the stage of thinking that today's superbike spec machines are just too fast for the circuit though.

Yes it is something on my list too. The ITV coverage has been really good since the rain stopped. I've got the Duke dvd of the TT history - really good buy I think.

Must go soon

It was good to see Rossi there, and enjoying it.
He even looked humble at moments.

DavShill wrote: Must go soon

I'd say you all must go soon!

I got back last night.......5 fantastic days, even the wet Saturday was superb. I met McGuiness, Bradley Smith, Guy Martin, Carlos Checa (careless chucker as we affectionately call him) and the Irish guy doing the ITV4 commentary (him off the Everest ads) as well as James Whitham. Out for a drink later that night we also bumped into Neil Tuxworth (and 1/2 dozen Honda top brass) and Colin Wright (GSE race boss) what a day!

Managed to get several high speed runs over the mountain and as expected the T was superb. The Rene airbox worked a treat, as did my new 2CT pilot power (190/55 isn't as fantastic as was promised though) Top speed I saw on the mountain mile was 153mph which for an uphill run on a naked bike with a fat git on board was superb (well I reckon it was) The bike was superb through the bends though at both high and low speed and I even got a cheer from a few fans at the gooseneck for a spot of knee down and wheelie action!!!!

The down side...............not one Falco spotted this year......not one. Pretty sure there will have been one or two there but I missed them. Several Tuono's and lots of RSV's & RSVR's but no Falco's seen.

I say once again, please make the effort to visit the Island; you will not regret it

F9

D-Rider wrote:Yes, I watched it Saturday and Sunday .... it's set to record today .... hopefully there will be some racing today.

I have now got to the stage of thinking that today's superbike spec machines are just too fast for the circuit though.

Just noticed Andy's comment in the small font and although as always the throttle works both ways it's worth noting that the serious accidents and fatalities both this year and last are down on previous years

The main point regarding the extra power and development of today's superbikes to consider are tyres. A few years ago the races were run in all weathers but now that is no longer possible as no intermediate or wet tyre will last for two laps in variable conditions on these machines.
So all the races are now run in the dry and we have seen the number of accidents etc... fall in line with this ruling as the racers know the road conditions throughout the course are perfect. I think we will see a 133 lap in the next few years but engine development will not go much further now (IMHO) emmisions etc.. will see to that. Its the outright speed of the bikes that is bringing the lap times down, doing almost 200mph on Sulby straight is almost unbelieveable.

However it's still the only place where this type of racing can be done and watched, we all know that if the TT was raced anywhere else on mainland Europe it would have been banned years ago. I believe we need to embrace true road racing the way the Irish have, 50 newcomers and 150,000 spectators at this years NW200 prove the sport has massive following and potential. Bikes will always get faster, corner better and stop quicker but under the right type of guidance and development this can be a positive not a negative

F9

all the races are now run in the dry

It was amazing watching the 'best moments' programme seeing them racing in thick mist!

is it the same dates every year, i'm looking to book for next year.

fastasfcuk wrote:is it the same dates every year, i'm looking to book for next year.

Hi M8,

The TT next year starts on May 29th for 2 weeks. Ist week is practice week, 2nd week is racing week (weather permitting of course)
Mad Sunday should fall on 6th June, 1st main race should be Sat 5th.

Have a look at the official TT website, it has all the info you'll need

http://www.iomtt.com/

F9

thanks for that rich.