#32

Was something I’d always thought I’d like to do. Had been looking into getting a scooter, then there were a couple of tragedies in our wider circle when I was a teenager (cw: death)

one family friend’s son died in a crash on the roads. Another friend’s brother and dad went to a track day, the dad came off in front of the son, who hit into him and he passed away

Unsurprisingly put me off forever and feel quite uneasy around them now, especially the way people ride them on roads like snake pass. wouldn’t ever dream of getting one.

They are beautiful to look at, mind

#33

I did! Sold it a good few years ago but would love to get one again. Just don’t have a garage or anywhere to store one at the moment :frowning:

I think @elthamsmateowen started a motorbike thread a few years ago and was talking about getting one.

2 Likes
#34

Absolutely bonkers really aren’t they, just clinging on to the bare minimum you need to go really really fast.

Never been in anything bigger than a 125.
Burning around Vietnam on a scooter is great fun, same with dirt bikes. Can’t imagine going 100mph on one.

The romantic American highway style of riding which are long and straight would be fun on something more laid back.

#35

Yep, I do. Been riding over 20 years with different bikes. Currently on a Bandit 1200, which is pretty good to ride, but looking to get an FZ6 soon, as I want better handling.
Best bike I’ve owned is a Thundercat 600 and rode that so much. Rode that on the track and tried doing John O’Groats to Lands End in 1 day.
Would love to have another sports tourer again, but my pelvis says otherwise

#36

That’s a great piece of kit there. What was the handling on that like?

#37

What did you have?

#38

Started on a Suzuki Intruder 125 until I passed my test, then bought a Honda Hornet CBF600S

image

3 Likes
#39

I was looking on eBay at a used Ducati 848 last week funnily enough. So nice and you can get them at a decent price now too.

#40

Yeah really good actually. Loved it cos I’m a tall chap and I found the Japanese bikes I rode like the suzuki bandit a bit cramped but I had loads of room on the r1100s and it loved being thrown round corners…

#41

I’ve always liked the look of the Hornet, nice styling.

Oh yeah, now is definitely the best time to get another bike. Just check with your insurer before getting one to make sure they will insure you. I asked my insurer for a 2004 FZ6 and they denied me, no idea why. Bear in mind, I’m almost 40, been riding for over 20 years and the only claim I’ve had was back in 2018 when the bike I had was stolen and written off. Crazy!

#42

Love the boxer engine on that and the look of it with the way it sticks out both sides. Would you consider getting another bike and just spend a couple of grand on it?

I had the R1150RT which was super comfy, but it was so slow for a motorcycle. I got bored really quickly with it. Best tallest bike I had was a V-Strom 650. First time riding a kind of off-road styled bike and the rear loved sliding out, but was so easy to grab back. That was a lot of fun riding

1 Like
#43

I have a really, really passionate hatred of motorbikes

3 Likes
#44

I’d be one of those people who sits on it then drives through a fence.

#45

Not trying to poke the bear, but just interested to hear why?

#46

Way too loud and just a complete disturbance, basically. If they were electric or whatever I wouldn’t care

1 Like
#47

Fair enough, but there are quite a number that don’t have very loud exhausts and so are a normal level of sound. I will admit, even I’m not a fan of the custom exhausts on motorcycles and them being super loud. I couldn’t ride a bike that loud, my ears would be ringing all the time!

Do you feel the same way about cars as well, with the custom exhausts?

#48

I have about fifteen years until I am fated to adhere to that particular mid-life crisis.

#49

Even diesels piss me off tbh

#50

I appreciate that after a horrible accident you weren’t making a logical choice, but I can’t fathom being in an accident with a car and then thinking the safe choice is to get a bike! Everyone I know who rides a motorbike has ended up in hospital at some point, just a matter of when not if.

#51

Hmmmmm can’t really justify owning a car and a motorbike and I couldn’t realistically do my commute on a bike year round. Think if I had a garage I’d be tempted but I’ve got nowhere sensible to keep a bike I’m not riding all the time.