Wednesday, January 26, 2011
Stavros
So, Jenny Gow has gone from the paddock of the premier grid of motorcycle racing. Well, fuck me backwards, what a surprise. Never mind the cuts at the BBC, it has everything to do with the fact that she couldn't tell one end of a bike from the other. Even the football nutters have heard of Valentino Rossi, so her knowledge was a little lacking when she noted him as a world champion, but I, for one, would prefer to hear the gossip from the pits. Forget the Y-factor, or whatever, let me know what the riders really feel and I'm a happy bloke as long as some geezer with experience is commentating. Bring it on, Stavros.
Tuesday, August 31, 2010
Guilty Pleasures
For some it’s a sneaky bar of chocolate or maybe a cream cake during a diet. For others it may be something more clandestine, such as a secret liaison or subscribing to one of the many freely available porn channels. For me though, it’s nothing more sinister than watching “cop shows” on the TV.
In no way would I describe myself as a meddling do-gooder, but I do like to have some indication as to where my tax money is being spent, and I would like to know how the Police are tackling crime. Official figures are about as much use as a chocolate teapot, massaged by whichever corrupt and self-centred group now calling themselves the Government are in power. Don’t get me wrong, I would need a lobotomy to believe that the media are presenting me with a full and honest picture, but just as in the old movies, where good and bad were clearly defined and the good always triumphed, I would like to see the good guys winning.
Being tarred with the same brush is something that most people have to either endure or ignore, depending on their place in the social hierarchy, but from a motorcyclists point of view and particularly from mine, it’s a bit of a downer. Ride a cruiser and the common perception is that you are either a 1% wannabe or a total wanker, either way you are going too slow and can’t handle bends in the road. Ride a street bike and you are either a newbie or not hard-core enough, and if you ride a sports bike then you are either a riding god or a hooligan. As I currently ride a street bike and have been riding for 30 years I don’t fit in to the first category, and as I ride every day, whatever the weather, I don’t fit into the second, either. I suppose that this goes to show that perceptions can be wrong and that sweeping generalisations are very, very wide of the mark, usually bordering upon insulting.
So when I indulged in my guilty pleasure tonight and watched a cop show on BBC1, I was left with mixed feelings. All of the motorcyclists who were caught doing stupid things were riding sports bikes, and all of them were well into their 30’s and 40’s. Wrinkly ninjas trying to recapture or re-invent their youth. I’d be comfortable blaming the media for slanting this story but I have seen it for myself. At places like Box Hill where the latest, greatest and fastest sports bikes were ridden by middle-aged men who should know better. Their uniform of big-name clothing and power-ranger designs reflecting their earning capacity rather than their riding ability or sense of style.
Sure, I get upset sometimes by the half a dozen eejits tearing around on their scooters, but that’s mainly because of the noise these damned things make, usually when I‘m trying to watch TV. But then I remember my biking past and smile about it. At one time we all rode two stroke machines and I’m happy that they have discovered two wheels. What truly disturbs me is that middle-aged men are being caught for behaving like idiots and the media blames the youth. This may be true where cars are concerned as the under 25’s, who only make up 15% of the four wheeled fraternity account for ¼ of all road deaths, but on two wheels, it’s those in their mid 30’s to mid 40’s and riding sports bikes who are doing the most damage. To themselves and to motorcycling as a whole.
In no way would I describe myself as a meddling do-gooder, but I do like to have some indication as to where my tax money is being spent, and I would like to know how the Police are tackling crime. Official figures are about as much use as a chocolate teapot, massaged by whichever corrupt and self-centred group now calling themselves the Government are in power. Don’t get me wrong, I would need a lobotomy to believe that the media are presenting me with a full and honest picture, but just as in the old movies, where good and bad were clearly defined and the good always triumphed, I would like to see the good guys winning.
Being tarred with the same brush is something that most people have to either endure or ignore, depending on their place in the social hierarchy, but from a motorcyclists point of view and particularly from mine, it’s a bit of a downer. Ride a cruiser and the common perception is that you are either a 1% wannabe or a total wanker, either way you are going too slow and can’t handle bends in the road. Ride a street bike and you are either a newbie or not hard-core enough, and if you ride a sports bike then you are either a riding god or a hooligan. As I currently ride a street bike and have been riding for 30 years I don’t fit in to the first category, and as I ride every day, whatever the weather, I don’t fit into the second, either. I suppose that this goes to show that perceptions can be wrong and that sweeping generalisations are very, very wide of the mark, usually bordering upon insulting.
So when I indulged in my guilty pleasure tonight and watched a cop show on BBC1, I was left with mixed feelings. All of the motorcyclists who were caught doing stupid things were riding sports bikes, and all of them were well into their 30’s and 40’s. Wrinkly ninjas trying to recapture or re-invent their youth. I’d be comfortable blaming the media for slanting this story but I have seen it for myself. At places like Box Hill where the latest, greatest and fastest sports bikes were ridden by middle-aged men who should know better. Their uniform of big-name clothing and power-ranger designs reflecting their earning capacity rather than their riding ability or sense of style.
Sure, I get upset sometimes by the half a dozen eejits tearing around on their scooters, but that’s mainly because of the noise these damned things make, usually when I‘m trying to watch TV. But then I remember my biking past and smile about it. At one time we all rode two stroke machines and I’m happy that they have discovered two wheels. What truly disturbs me is that middle-aged men are being caught for behaving like idiots and the media blames the youth. This may be true where cars are concerned as the under 25’s, who only make up 15% of the four wheeled fraternity account for ¼ of all road deaths, but on two wheels, it’s those in their mid 30’s to mid 40’s and riding sports bikes who are doing the most damage. To themselves and to motorcycling as a whole.
Wednesday, August 25, 2010
Smells like....
I use my bike to commute to work and I use it to visit friends. It would be fair to say that unless it has snowed overnight, I use my bike every day of the year. I also drive a car, and there are times when this is the only sensible option. It could be that using both forms of transport makes me more aware of the hazards of two wheels, but it makes me angry when I discover that over 60% of motorcycle deaths are caused by car drivers. And those who choose two wheels are forced to endure ever stricter tests and engine capacity limits. It’s not the bikers who need to be trained to recognise their own mortality but the nutters who drive ever bigger cars and believe that they are invincible.
As an example, I followed a car this evening who legitimately turned right at a traffic island. The driver slowed their vehicle, indicated and proceeded with caution to make the turn. Then, from the left a Volvo appeared and ignored the car in front of me, who had to brake harshly. The driver of the car in front blared his horn at this total idiot and the reply was a single finger salute. Thankfully I was 20 metres behind the car and could avoid the near accident, but when I pulled up to the cash-point behind the same driver, I could see that he was still angry.
I could empathise with him but wondered about the twat in the Volvo. If he was prepared to crash into a car just to get around the traffic island first, regardless of the consequences, how would a biker fare? Very badly is my conclusion. But even so, those wanting to pass their bike test have to beware of these nutters and take avoiding action, regardless of their own safety. If they don’t they will be classed as accidents waiting to happen and the authorities will never punish the numpty with 2 weeks driving experience and the 200 hp car.
New and young bikers have to deal with a 33 hp restrictor to limit their exuberance, but new drivers could, hypothetically, hit the roads with a Porsche Carerra GT3 or something with similar performance.
Why then are we punishing the victims rather than the perpetrators? Why are the victims asked to train harder and suffer a limit to what they can ride, whereas the nutter on four wheels can do as they please? I witnessed it again tonight and I have to wonder what runs through these peoples minds. Bikers don’t drop off trees. We have families and friends who would miss us and depend on us. If we were killed by a nutter on four wheels, do they think that this would be worth getting around the traffic island first, or cutting us up when we overtake.
As radical as it seems, many bikers are asking their governments that before anyone can take their car license they must have two years experience of riding a motorcycle. Draconian as it is, I’m prepared to agree with them. I am disgusted at the ineptitude and thorough negligence of car drivers. It makes my blood boil that they have scant regard for other road users, but even more that they care about the victims less than they care about themselves.
Has any biker had the excuse that they were using a mobile phone and therefore didn’t see the victim? No. But this is enough to prosecute the biker and send them to the courts for negligence. We have to watch out for you, but you don’t have to watch out for us. Smells of laziness, I say.
As an example, I followed a car this evening who legitimately turned right at a traffic island. The driver slowed their vehicle, indicated and proceeded with caution to make the turn. Then, from the left a Volvo appeared and ignored the car in front of me, who had to brake harshly. The driver of the car in front blared his horn at this total idiot and the reply was a single finger salute. Thankfully I was 20 metres behind the car and could avoid the near accident, but when I pulled up to the cash-point behind the same driver, I could see that he was still angry.
I could empathise with him but wondered about the twat in the Volvo. If he was prepared to crash into a car just to get around the traffic island first, regardless of the consequences, how would a biker fare? Very badly is my conclusion. But even so, those wanting to pass their bike test have to beware of these nutters and take avoiding action, regardless of their own safety. If they don’t they will be classed as accidents waiting to happen and the authorities will never punish the numpty with 2 weeks driving experience and the 200 hp car.
New and young bikers have to deal with a 33 hp restrictor to limit their exuberance, but new drivers could, hypothetically, hit the roads with a Porsche Carerra GT3 or something with similar performance.
Why then are we punishing the victims rather than the perpetrators? Why are the victims asked to train harder and suffer a limit to what they can ride, whereas the nutter on four wheels can do as they please? I witnessed it again tonight and I have to wonder what runs through these peoples minds. Bikers don’t drop off trees. We have families and friends who would miss us and depend on us. If we were killed by a nutter on four wheels, do they think that this would be worth getting around the traffic island first, or cutting us up when we overtake.
As radical as it seems, many bikers are asking their governments that before anyone can take their car license they must have two years experience of riding a motorcycle. Draconian as it is, I’m prepared to agree with them. I am disgusted at the ineptitude and thorough negligence of car drivers. It makes my blood boil that they have scant regard for other road users, but even more that they care about the victims less than they care about themselves.
Has any biker had the excuse that they were using a mobile phone and therefore didn’t see the victim? No. But this is enough to prosecute the biker and send them to the courts for negligence. We have to watch out for you, but you don’t have to watch out for us. Smells of laziness, I say.
Tuesday, August 17, 2010
The Blurb Says .....
Whenever I’m interested in a product or service, I like to gather as much information as possible. Under certain circumstances this could lead to a little lack of spontaneity, but as I’m not ridiculously wealthy I’ve never parted with large amounts of cash spontaneously. After reading the press blurb about the apparent virtues of the product or service, I will undoubtedly attempt to find reviews by people who have actually parted with their own money for it. These, I find, are usually far more enlightening and although I’m prepared to admit that some have their own axe to grind, most are invaluable.
The biggest noise in the U.K. motorcycling press is most likely Motor Cycle News, and the nicest aspect for those of us who are considering purchasing a new or second-hand bike, is that they have hundreds of reviews. Click on a link and it’s possible to read what the MCN journalist had to say, but scroll down the page and you can read what people who bought the bike with their own money have to say. And there is often a huge discrepancy.
For instance:
MCN - Tour by all means (it’s plush enough).
Owner - It does give cramp on long treks.
MCN - Six-footers may find an SV650 a little cramped.
Owner - I'm 6' 2" and have no problems with the bike.
MCN - The rest of the bike suffers from famously-bad build quality.
Owner - Build quality was not as bad as the press would tell you.
And so it goes on. And on. And on. A never-ending disagreement between those who are given something which they can destroy and walk away from and those who have put their hand in their own pocket to pay for the privilege.
I ask myself why we even bother? News reporting seems to be a matter of relaying Government statistics, the Press is owned by very few powerful people with their own axe to grind and impartiality has long since left the building.
All hail the owners review.
The biggest noise in the U.K. motorcycling press is most likely Motor Cycle News, and the nicest aspect for those of us who are considering purchasing a new or second-hand bike, is that they have hundreds of reviews. Click on a link and it’s possible to read what the MCN journalist had to say, but scroll down the page and you can read what people who bought the bike with their own money have to say. And there is often a huge discrepancy.
For instance:
MCN - Tour by all means (it’s plush enough).
Owner - It does give cramp on long treks.
MCN - Six-footers may find an SV650 a little cramped.
Owner - I'm 6' 2" and have no problems with the bike.
MCN - The rest of the bike suffers from famously-bad build quality.
Owner - Build quality was not as bad as the press would tell you.
And so it goes on. And on. And on. A never-ending disagreement between those who are given something which they can destroy and walk away from and those who have put their hand in their own pocket to pay for the privilege.
I ask myself why we even bother? News reporting seems to be a matter of relaying Government statistics, the Press is owned by very few powerful people with their own axe to grind and impartiality has long since left the building.
All hail the owners review.
Friday, July 30, 2010
Status Quo
A couple of years ago I was asked by a non-motorcyclist why they should get into biking. I rattled off the usual list of reasons including the feeling of freedom, cheaper running costs and every emotive experience I could conceive, but I was floored when they then asked me why bikes were so ridiculously expensive.
Yes, the top-of-the-range sports bikes are technologically at the cutting edge, but most bikes are not in this category. Most rely on well tried and well tested components, in many cases over a decade old. A new set of stickers and a trendy paint job do not warrant a price-hike, but this doesn’t seem to be the way that the manufacturers think. They are convinced that we will all pay an extra months salary for this supposed update, and they are right. Without a doubt there will be those who simply must have the latest model, and with their cash in their hands, stake out a place in the dealers showroom to show their level of commitment. The fact that these people are usually dressed in the latest “Power Ranger” leathers from an overly expensive brand does not go unnoticed. They are the weekend warriors who stop being an accountant or personnel manager at five on a Friday and call themselves “Mad Dog” or “Rocket Ronnie” on Saturday. They have money to burn and a garage full of bikes which they could sell, but are not prepared to let anything out of their sight, even though they have not used these bikes for many years. They want a big return on their investment, and are prepared to buy up everything which they can afford in the hope of making even more money in the future.
So, curious of how things may have changed in the last two years, I asked a non-biker the same question, only this time it was me asking them why they didn’t consider motorcycling as an option. The answer I received was similar, but not the same. This person was into big power and although they were prepared to consider a bike, asked me to tell them what they, or any other car driver could get for their money that would make it worth it. Power, comfort and all the gadgets were my criteria, so I brought up the MCN website and the Autotrader website in different tabs for a quick comparison.
After fifteen minutes we had three and four litre cars with full leather and electrics, all in lovely condition and all for a maximum of £700, so now we had a benchmark. I checked the MCN website and found that the best option was a bike which was four years older and would cost a small fortune in insurance costs. The car was a BMW 540i and the bike a Kawasaki ZZR 1100. Given my love of motorcycles and touring, I’d have gone for the bike, but when you consider that it was £250 more expensive than the car, it’s easy to see why the car wins every time.
My suggestion to all of you who hoard bikes which you do not ride is to release them onto the market and get more people on to two wheels. If you don’t we’ll all have to become accountants, pay ludicrous amounts of money to ride or endure old technology whilst being left behind by our four-wheeled cousins. You choose.
Yes, the top-of-the-range sports bikes are technologically at the cutting edge, but most bikes are not in this category. Most rely on well tried and well tested components, in many cases over a decade old. A new set of stickers and a trendy paint job do not warrant a price-hike, but this doesn’t seem to be the way that the manufacturers think. They are convinced that we will all pay an extra months salary for this supposed update, and they are right. Without a doubt there will be those who simply must have the latest model, and with their cash in their hands, stake out a place in the dealers showroom to show their level of commitment. The fact that these people are usually dressed in the latest “Power Ranger” leathers from an overly expensive brand does not go unnoticed. They are the weekend warriors who stop being an accountant or personnel manager at five on a Friday and call themselves “Mad Dog” or “Rocket Ronnie” on Saturday. They have money to burn and a garage full of bikes which they could sell, but are not prepared to let anything out of their sight, even though they have not used these bikes for many years. They want a big return on their investment, and are prepared to buy up everything which they can afford in the hope of making even more money in the future.
So, curious of how things may have changed in the last two years, I asked a non-biker the same question, only this time it was me asking them why they didn’t consider motorcycling as an option. The answer I received was similar, but not the same. This person was into big power and although they were prepared to consider a bike, asked me to tell them what they, or any other car driver could get for their money that would make it worth it. Power, comfort and all the gadgets were my criteria, so I brought up the MCN website and the Autotrader website in different tabs for a quick comparison.
After fifteen minutes we had three and four litre cars with full leather and electrics, all in lovely condition and all for a maximum of £700, so now we had a benchmark. I checked the MCN website and found that the best option was a bike which was four years older and would cost a small fortune in insurance costs. The car was a BMW 540i and the bike a Kawasaki ZZR 1100. Given my love of motorcycles and touring, I’d have gone for the bike, but when you consider that it was £250 more expensive than the car, it’s easy to see why the car wins every time.
My suggestion to all of you who hoard bikes which you do not ride is to release them onto the market and get more people on to two wheels. If you don’t we’ll all have to become accountants, pay ludicrous amounts of money to ride or endure old technology whilst being left behind by our four-wheeled cousins. You choose.
Thursday, July 29, 2010
The Nutter on the Bus
I have little doubt that my interests draw me, and most other people, to those with similar interests. My love of motorcycles has given me a range of friends and acquaintances who also appreciate this travel option, and since my return to the UK, I have been lucky enough to have a friend who has loaned me a motorcycle. I pay all of the bills, i.e. Road Tax, Insurance and maintenance, and it’s on a you-break-it-you-fix-it basis, but I’m grateful, all the same.
The bike in question is a 2004 Suzuki GS500, a model which seems to have been around for ever and is a favourite for rider training. Compared to my last, and sadly now deceased bike, it’s underpowered, slow handling and totally un-glamorous, but it is comfortable, cheap to run and attracts no attention from would-be bike thieves. Utilitarian is a word which springs to mind, and whilst this may be the case, it’s also changed the way I think about what I actually want a bike to do.
I use this unassuming ride to commute for five days out of seven and it has performed admirably. I have also used it to meet up with the aforementioned friends and acquaintances once or twice a week and it has proved to be reliable, plus, its lack of power has kept me out of trouble with those who have flashing blue lights. Sure, it has zero credibility and I initially had to endure many jibes, but when I began to explain the reasons why it had changed my way of thinking about bikes, a lot of chin-rubbing ensued. My arguments were apparently making sense as those around me began to see my logic.
What I want, or more correctly, need, is a reliable and easy-to-work-on motorcycle which will take me to my destination and back with the least amount of mechanical hassles. Yes, there are tourers which are purpose-made for the job, but they cost a stupid amount of money and I am not interested in entering into that level of debt. In fact, I don't want to gain any level of debt. The people, the sights and the experience are all I crave, but if my theory about like minds attracting each other is correct, then why do I seem to attract the nutter on the bus?
The bike in question is a 2004 Suzuki GS500, a model which seems to have been around for ever and is a favourite for rider training. Compared to my last, and sadly now deceased bike, it’s underpowered, slow handling and totally un-glamorous, but it is comfortable, cheap to run and attracts no attention from would-be bike thieves. Utilitarian is a word which springs to mind, and whilst this may be the case, it’s also changed the way I think about what I actually want a bike to do.
I use this unassuming ride to commute for five days out of seven and it has performed admirably. I have also used it to meet up with the aforementioned friends and acquaintances once or twice a week and it has proved to be reliable, plus, its lack of power has kept me out of trouble with those who have flashing blue lights. Sure, it has zero credibility and I initially had to endure many jibes, but when I began to explain the reasons why it had changed my way of thinking about bikes, a lot of chin-rubbing ensued. My arguments were apparently making sense as those around me began to see my logic.
What I want, or more correctly, need, is a reliable and easy-to-work-on motorcycle which will take me to my destination and back with the least amount of mechanical hassles. Yes, there are tourers which are purpose-made for the job, but they cost a stupid amount of money and I am not interested in entering into that level of debt. In fact, I don't want to gain any level of debt. The people, the sights and the experience are all I crave, but if my theory about like minds attracting each other is correct, then why do I seem to attract the nutter on the bus?
Wednesday, July 21, 2010
Reality Bites
My general view on life is that working for a living is the surest way to destroy a social life. Without a doubt, I would be a very happy lottery winner. Having the time and cash to experience all of the things I'd love to do, rather than have to do, would be truly wonderful.
I've never understood those people who tell me that suddenly coming into a huge amount of money wouldn't change them or their way of life. My first question to them is always to ask why they are trying to win a huge amount of money if their life is already perfect. I suspect that there is more than they are willing to admit to. Maybe their aspirations are a little less adventurous than mine. A fortnight in Spain or a cruise around the Caribbean are not what would head my "to do" list. Oh no. For me it would be riding a motorcycle through some awe-inspiring landscape, meeting the locals and experiencing the culture which surrounded me. I'm sure that my time in America and Australia have given me the inspiration to do it again, but reality bites.
Since being back in Blighty I've been working my ass off trying to catch up with all off those unpaid, and unwanted, bills. But I've also been trying to decide where to go next, and on what. I've read tales about three Australian guys trying to drive a hearse from the UK to Oz, three British blokes driving an electric milk float from the furthest point East to the furthest point West in the UK and everything in between. All of them have inspired me to do something, but exactly what has eluded me. My fall-back is motorcycling, so I've recently tried to focus on that as a starting point, assuming that the rest will follow.
My later ramblings will be concerned with this very quest, but should anyone have any ideas, I'd be very interested to hear them.
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