Inside the trademark white Arai, there's a smile getting bigger as Bayly prepares for another wild lap of Philip Island on the amazing new 2007 GSXR1000. (Photo: Suzuki) » More Photos

Riding and hanging with ex World Champion Kevin Schwantz, I have some inside knowledge on the best way to approach this scary turn, so forcing myself to stay out wide, before cutting tight to the rumble strip, I make my run up to Lukey Heights. The Gixxer weighs in at a claimed 379 pounds dry, but this corner reminds me it is still a big bike. Needing more body English that its smaller siblings to avoid running wide, Kevin's advice gets me through here quicker than the last session, and has me barreling toward turn nine at Lukey Heights at the top end of third gear.

Relying on the slipper clutch, I roll off, blip the throttle, and drop to second gear using engine braking alone to scrub off speed for the world famous corner. With the front end totally settled, I flick it in and arc over the insane blind rise at triple digit speeds, crying like a baby the whole way over, before realizing I have lived to tell the tale and getting back hard on the brakes for turn 10. The level of intensity generated by this thing is borderline insane, but once back on the gas exiting turn 11 it is all smiles again inside the helmet as the monster motor pulls me toward turn 12, faster than my brain can comprehend. Carving through the 120mph turn with my left knee puck grinding, the rear end spinning, and the bike pushing out toward the rumble strip, I force the throttle open and my body to get behind the shield for the best run down the front straight. By the time it is time to get back on the brakes we are going to be traveling close to 180mph, and this time I am going to leave the braking even later into Doohan Corner than the last lap. And, the smile is getting bigger as I prepare for another wild lap of Philip Island on the amazing new 2007 GSXR1000.

Watch the video - First Look at the 2007 Suzuki GSXR1000.

Watch the video - GSXR1000 on Philip Island.

For Neale Bayly's behind the scenes blog see article - Off Down Under to test the new GSXR1000 at Philip Island.