Fully-crossed-up-rear-end-swapping-tank-slapping-tire-shredding-kinda-closed-course’ish-hooligan-bike. The bike had to be arrogant, buff, and willing to do dirt. And we needed two of them. This is an almost impossible request, unless you can lay your hands on a matching pair of 2011 Triumph 1050 Speed Triples. Which we can... so we did.

The upright riding position and wide bars gave plenty of leverage for counter steering. 133bhp and 82ftlb meant they could break rear tires loose at will. And perhaps most importantly, the seemingly indestructible three-cylinder motor took Nick and Ernie’s weeklong dawn-to-dusk flogging without the slightest hiccup.