Pitt and Resch sample the BMW S1000RR in Australia

Andrew Pitt and Roland Resch (Reitwagen Racing) rode BMW machinery for the first time recently during a short outing at Eastern Creek in Australia.

"It was not really a test, just riding the roadbike on a public ride day with 160 riders there, split in four groups," said Pitt (photo mcnews.com.au). "Roland and I shared the same bike and it was just a chance to ride the BMW for the first time and to give Roland a chance to learn the track."

Said Pitt of the roadbike his 2010 World Superbike race machine will be based on, "The speed and acceleration of the engine was very impressive for a standard bike and the standard gearbox was also very smooth and precise. It was like a race gearbox, or better. The bike does what you want it to do. They have done a great job on the standard bike for sure."

Despite the stock nature of the machines, and running on treaded tyres, Pitt was reported to have set times in the 1'36 region on the former GP circuit near Sydney. Pitt and Resch will test a race-spec machine for the first time at Eastern Creek, starting 8th February.