Dunlop reflects on Honda TT Legends test

Road racing star Michael Dunlop has given his first impressions of the Honda TT Legends Fireblade he will ride at the North West 200 and Isle of Man TT races this season.

The Northern Ireland rider will compete in the Superbike class at the international road races alongside John McGuinness and Michael Rutter.

Dunlop has completed a test with the TT Legends team at Albacete in Spain and although the shakedown was ultimately blighted by wet weather, the 24-year-old managed to get a feel for his CBNR1000RR Fireblade.

The three-times TT winner said: "It was my first time out on the bike and it feels good.

"It's nice to be here in wet weather!" he joked. "We came to Spain hoping it would be dry but it's been raining.

"It has hindered our progress with the bike but it's good for me to be here with Adrian (Gorst) and Graeme (Parker), my mechanics and get a feel for the new bike.

"The initial feel and set-up is good. Adrian has tried a lot of stuff with the ignition and hopefully it will dry up and we will get a bit of a run at it," he added.

"I just need to get the bike somewhere that's faster and bigger to get a good run on the bike.

"The bike is a beauty - we've made a few changes and the handlebars are set how I want them and now I'm just hoping for some dry time on the bike."

Dunlop has won two Supersport races at the TT and also achieved a victory in the Superstock class in 2011.

The Ballymoney man, who finished as the runner-up behind Ian Hutchinson in the Superbike TT on a Honda Fireblade in 2010 - is tipped to give 19-times winner McGuinness a real run for his money in the premier class at the TT in June.