Motorbikes

I have been riding motorcycles since 1965 and have got through 36 of them.

The best way to own a motorbike is to treat it as a fun thing. You still retain your car but use the bike only when you feel in the mood.

I currently own a 1950 Sunbeam S7 and would send a pic if I knew how to do it.

If you treat the bike as a fun thing, go for bikes that you can drive through the countryside at moderate speeds.

Any British bike will do that, but they need a bit of looking after.

If you opt for a newer machine, I would go either for a Harley Davidson or a Honda HD look a like such as the VT250 Shadow.

Do a google search for pics.

These bikes have speed but low torque so you can cruise around in a totally relaxed way, taking in the scenery etc.

Go for it, you will not regret it.

Regards

Mick

What's the old saying............when you can finally afford to do it, you look like an idiot doing it! Something like that.

I get the hot's for a bike every spring, go to the show, go home, think about it, make some inquiries, get busy with work, and before you can say Ducati, it's snowing again. Oh well.

A friend of mine use to say that the greatest advantage of a bike over a car is that, with a bike, you don't have to stop for a slash when it's raining!

I got a picture of me sitting on a HD at Goodwood Festival of Speed. I have to say I look way too cool on it, but I have this recurring night mare of buying one going to Kings Road or whatever to collect it and falling over outside the shop!
Mick back in the 60s a mate(also called Mick) had a S7, it had a habit of spitting flame out of the carb , great when your riding pillion!
BTW us motorists are very intollerant to M/Cs it makes it bloody dangerous out there. I scared myself more then enough going back to a Lambretta about 10yrs ago. It was not the Lamby that was scary(orange and metallic green was a bit scary) the roads just seemed too crowded.
Today near Guildford I saw what looked like a fully enclosed M/C with rear outriggers, any idea what it could have been?

Howard

I took a peek at your age Paul, and if you were older I would have said don't do it. Get to 40 after not having a bike since you were 18 and statistics say you are very likely to die. I'm lucky in that I had a bike from the time I was 17 until I got to 41, where I lost interest.
Do it Paul and get it out of your system while you are young.
Me? I'd have 748 (£4k for a good nick used) or 911.
I had a Harley from new and it was breaking down on the way back from the dealer, and every 100 miles after that. Why I kept it for 3 years is beyond me.
It was the amount of traffic that killed it for me. Down here in the south there are no clear roads left for a blast.

Have you ever noticed that clean new cars on the road in London look great under the city lights, but on the open road just look ordinary? Same for bikes. Out of the podiums of the NEC, they lose their appeal when shackled in a MC bay in the rain.
The other thing is that its great when you have mates with bikes to go out with, but on your own, it just isn't the same somehow.

Hi Paul.

I had some mean bikes in my youth, then along came marriage and 'normality'. An old friend and biking buddy got divorced just before me, and reactivated my interest in 1997.

A Honda VFR 750 did the job for a while - then I too went to an NEC show and encountered a strange phenomena - an attractive sporty looking BMW R1100S.

It has one of those whacky sticky-out-pots boxer engines, and like all Bee Ems, shaft drive. A test ride ensued on a dank and dismal December day; and to my surprise, I loved it.

I bought one new in March 1999 and still have it. Wonderfully torquey power delivery allied to a six speed box and plenty of go, without having to rev the arse off it.

Never again would I have a bike with a chain - shaft drive is maintenance free and makes the bike so easy to keep clean at the back end.

Have a test ride. You may prefer one of the more 'upright' roadster variants.

John.

Motorcycles are dangerous to their riders and as such should be banned. You are more likely to be involved in a nasty accident on a motorbike than in a car; what would be a just costly insurance claim in a car would most likely result in a lengthy spell in hospital, or worse, on a motorcycle.

As I don't have any intention of riding a motorcycle myself I'd have no problem with such a ban.

--------------------------------

The above is an opinion often trotted out by those who feel smug about not being in such a minority group.

It isn't my opinion, although I don't ride a motorbike and probably never will...

I said elsewhere here wrt smoking in pubs etc:

"Democracy should not be about allowing the majority to ride roughshod over a minority."

Please excuse the pun and mixture of metaphors.

Regards,

Steve.

quote:

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Originally posted by BigH47:

Today near Guildford I saw what looked like a fully enclosed M/C with rear outriggers, any idea what it could have been?

Howard

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Could be a Peraves Ecomobile ?

http://www.peraves.ch
We sometimes see one here as it's fitted with a BMW bike engine. I'd love to have a go in one! Must be like flying a plane!

Brian OReilly

Could also be my own bike, a BMW C1. Semi enclosed, but no outriggers.

[This message was edited by Brian OReilly on Thu 11 November 2004 at 8:01.]

The Ducati Monster is not a great choice as a commuting bike although it is a fine looking bit of kit, especially in matt black.

I have a Honda Deauville which I used a lot for commuting on, and I also occasionally commute on a CBR600.

You need a good bit of experience before you can commute safely on a motorbike though as at commuting times a lot of motorists really aren't paying attention and you need to know how to keep yourself safe.

Paul,

Step one, contact a local training school and book yourself a starter course. They often have hire bikes available and its probably the safest cheapest way of putting your first toe in the water... You could also talk to a Honda dealer about their MAC course (Motorcycle appreciation course). They are superb and the instructors tend to be ex police etc. Ive been a biker on and off since i took up schoolboy scrambling at the age of 14 and in the 20 plus and a bit years of riding the MAC course is one of the best ive experienced.

If all goes well.. and you want more then the choices as you will have seen from the NEC are almost unlimited.. Ducati is a great manufacturer but their products can be just as tempermental as Italian cars.. but something medium capacity like the monster, a Honda 600 Hornet, or a suzuki/yamaha equivalent would be a good start..
If your more ambitious and confident, then the next level would be a good sports tourer like the VFR800, Still comfortable, with bags of performance and capability but without the hard ride and edge of a race rep like the CBR600RR, Ducati 748, etc etc..

Whatever you decide, take it steady at first, even some mid capacity machines can be capable of 150+ mph, and can acclerate from 0 to very illegal in a mere 5 ish seconds... Its easy to get carried away and into trouble, but treated with due respect it can be totally exhilerating!

Hi Brian thanks for the link. It looks like the thing,it is so difficult to tell from the quick glimpse I got. I know it wasn't a C1 I have seen several of those.

Regards

Howard

I am assuming that you do not have a full motobike licence.

The process to get a licence is relatively straightforward and quite quick if you wish it to be. You will need to do a one day CBT course (Compulsory basic training), this allows you to go mad on with an 'L' plate on a restricted machine.

You will also need to pass the theory test, which of course includes the dreaded Hazard Perception test.

Most people then take a Direct Access course, normally about five or six days leading up to a test. You ride about, probably one instructor to two learners with the instructor rabbiting in your ear through the intercom.

if you take the test on a 500cc machine (and pass) you can then buy and ride any machine you want (assuming you can insure it). You can take the test on the 125 machine, in which case you are limited to 33BHP for two years.

I did my test two years ago, don't regret it at all, in fact I love it and wish I had done it earlier.

It helps if you have a friend who can give you the run down on biker behaviours but they are simple enough to pick up. The community is friendly and welcoming, you will never be alone.

Went to the local Ducati dealers today and basically said "look mate I've never ridden in my life.. am I mad to consider one of these?"

Chap was very helpful, admitted he'd ridden so long he wasn't 100% on what the current rules are about CBC/Direct Access and what you can and can't ride, but he did give me the card for a local (to them) riding school.

He did also say there's no real reason not to look at something like a Monster as a first bike - his opinion was along the lines of "too much power can be bad but it can also get you out of trouble".

So far as what to look at, as someone somewhere else expressed it-

"I've got a secret philosophy that it's always a good idea to pick your bike based on something you like the look of; you might end up with something that is totally unsuitable to your requirements, but at least you won't have
to open the garage door every morning and think, "Why the fuck did I buy that piece of shit?"

I like the cut of his jib

Think I'll get some prices and timescales on courses and the likes.

Paul

Paul,

I passed my test aged 30yrs and bought my first bike - an FZR1000. It's a myth that you'll kill yourself on a powerful bike, either as a beginner or a born again rider.

Buy your dream.

Brian OReilly

Hi Paul

If you are looking for a commuter bike and something that will be fun but a good learner vehicle I would go for the Suzuki SV650, it;s a v-twin like the Ducati but has better manners for a begginer and is about 2/3d's the price. It also has one of the finest handling chassis out there as well as brakes that do it justice.

My wife is looking for a learner machine and I really cannot fault the little SV 650. Search the web that have quite a following.

As to learning to ride, get trained and get trained well. Check the credentials of the instructors and see if you can find an Ex Bike cop, they really are the best. Check out the IAM as well, their bike training for Advanced Riders is second only to the training the cops receive. It's the reason I and many of my friends have remained accident free for many years.

I commute on my bikes as often as I can and love it.

Good luck

Andy

If you are looking to commute you MIGHT consider one of the super scooters. Or the Honda Deauville - traditionally consider worthy but dull. I rode an NTV 600 for several years of frighteningly reliable biking and enjoyed taking a limited bike to its limits. One occasion had me waiting on the A4 for an R1 and R6 to bugger off into the distance - only to end up leading them past the traffic. Plus - you seldom go seriously faster than the posted limits.
The BMWs are nice bikes - it all depends whether you want to travel by bike or go biking. All I can say is - at its best it is life enhancing - with the caveat that, if it goes wrong, you will feel it.

Perhaps the word commute gives the wrong idea (I always seem to think of london and tube trains).

It's a 20-odd mile trip each way to work, down some average A-roads, it's a decent journey and not at all stop-start city-centre stuff.

I think I'd enjoy biking and would probably get into it, assuming the training didn't make it blatantly obvious that I couldn't handle a bike.

I don't think I'd enjoy a scooter or whatever they call them now, and yep that probably is a shallow snobbery thing.. I hate scooters

Age wise, I'm 28 so, with respect to those older and wiser, I hope I'm in the "too old to consider it" category.

I don't know.. go to a bike show and come away saying "i want to get a ducati" probably sounds like i'm a wannabe boy racer, and that's not me at all.

The guys at work have pointed me a local MCT with a good reputation and apparently when one of them did his CBT, which was only a few months back, it was something like £60, and I think the DAS was around £360 all in, bike hire the lot, so I'll give them a call and do the CBT I think.

The thing that did stand out at the NEC was the number of people on crutches, in casts, and in wheelchairs, it does make you wonder if it's a huge mistake to be wanting one, or if it's a case of what you do when you have one!

Paul

I've had bikes since 1968-I don't own a car.I suggest a trail style motorcycle for commuting.The extra height gives you a fine view and you are easier to be seen.I on the way down for whopper bikes,I currently have a BMW 650.It is a single cylinder bike but it is smooth(ish) and can go with alacrity when provoked.Its best features are very fine handling and modest fuel consumption.The down side of modern bikes is that the are meant to be fair weather devices and therefore have rotten mudguards;they are also fairly pricey on servicing and tyres.The good points are too numerous to mention.Cheers Tony

quote:

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if it's a case of what you do when you have one!

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Hence the comment on training, I was lucky enough to be trained by a bike cop and each of my peers, that went through the same training, have been riding for 25 years plus without a serious accident. Those that did not take the training, (voluntary in those days) did not fare quite so well.

Modern bikes are equiped with excellent brakes as well as powerful engines and great tyres, you CAN get into trouble but the performance can get you out of it pretty quickly as well

With a bike you are much more a part of the environment and therefore more conscious of what is going on around you. Check out the manual, it will give an insight as to what is going on in the mind of a motorcyclist who is 'making progress'....

Police System of Motorcycle Control

Let us know how you get on.

Regards

Andy

Thanks Andy, I have the roadcraft book for cars, and if the bike on is the same sort of thing it should definately be worth a look.

As a general question, how do people choose a bike, both style and model?

Apparently test rides can be quite hard to get when you've only just passed your test, which is understandable but if you can't ride it how can you decide if you want it etc..

Also the whole sports vs road bike thing?

For example I love the looks/styling of the Ducati 749 (I know.. going purely off looks again). I'm assuming it's totally and wholly unsuitable to be even thinking it, but what might determine that you want a sports bike, or is it literally if you intend to ride it fast?

p.s Anyone seen one of those Cagiva 125s that are race bike clones.. scary what a 125 can be made to look like

Paul,

I've been riding motorbikes since I was 18 (I'm 37 now). For most of my working life a bike has been my only transport. I commute 25 miles into work every day. Sometimes I think the only reason I want to go into work is so that I can get out on the bike. If you're choosing a modern bike I would say get any bike you like the look and feel of these days because they're all pretty reliable. However, if you go for an older Ducati watch out for dodgy electrics in the wet. If you want the most reliable and well finished motorcycle for your money, in my opinion, the Hondas are the ones to go for. I've had a Honda 600 hornet for the last 3 years. It's a quick and stylish bike for commuting on and it never gets left behind by my mates on their bigger capacity sports bikes when we go for a ride at weekend. They ride like girls though.

Whatever you do, don't buy a Harley. You're far too young.

Paul;
I can understand your concerns of potential injury whilst riding a bike. However; one of the things that gives me a buzz about riding my bike, is the way it focuses my mind totally (to hopefully avoid scraping my soft bits on the tarmac!)

We are all guilty of thinking about anything and everything whilst driving a car. You can't do that on a bike (particularly on a challenging twisty road). Let your mind wander from the task and you're likely to wander off the black bits!

Bikes are popular, because to some extent (unlike sports cars), one can realise the freedom of the open road. Riding well is an art form and very rewarding when you get it right.

We can all comfortably drive several hundred miles a day in a car, I'm sure - but I am mentally shattered after say 100 miles on my bike.

I attended my local Police Force 'Safe Rider' scheme which is stonking v.f.m. at about £40.

Here's a picture of my baby to spur you on.



John.

Hi Paul

The bikes such as the duacati 748's Yamaha R1's and Suzuki gsxr's are practically street legal race bikes. Great fun but they need quite a lot of experience to get the best out of them and can become very tiring, let alone damaging to you licence, in every day commuting. That is to say nothing of the running costs, tyres, brakes and chains can wear out quickly withthe performance that these bikes give you. You really need to be doing 80-90mph on the 749 to get enough weight off your wrists to be comfortable in 3rd gear. It's a bit like trying to commute every day in a Ferrari, sounds wonderful but after a while......

I'm not sure the UK capacity laws for the 2 part UK test, but if you like the ducatis the new 620 Multistrada looks great and the Monster is perfectly viable.

Make a list of the bikes you would be allowed to drive, then the one's you like and the one's you can afford. The Vintage scene is pretty healthy in the UK, witness Mick driving around on his 'old-un'. Otherwise the Honda's go forever, Suzuki's SV650 and bandit are great bikes for the beginnner but you inevitably fall in love with a bike and that is 'the one'. I spotted my latest bike in a shop and did just that, after some brief research on the web I rode one home a few weeks later.

Have fun and good luck.

Andy



[This message was edited by Andy Kirby on Sun 14 November 2004 at 4:20.]

I rode over to Bath yesterday - everything coming together for a perfect ride. Cold air feeding the engine, clear air and long views feeding the mind.
Sometimes it all comes together and you remember not just why you are a biker but why you are alive.
"the achieve of, the mastery of the thing!"

Journey back - in the dark - blinded by oncoming headlights.

BTW that road from Salisbury to Bath can be bloody dangerous, I've ridden it myself - not to mention the scamera vans out for your cash!