A bike I currently still own - 72 Harley with Evo engine.
So who the hell am I? It is a question I have asked myself on countless occasions but rather than drop down a spiral of existentialism, I will keep to the subject of identity rather than attempt to process my core individuality.
What I am getting at is why would my opinion be valid to the reader? Quite simply, it isn’t but with half a century of riding motorbikes and for a great deal of that time the bike being my only mode of transport, I have a wealth of experience on the subject and plenty to say. To bolster that experience, I have spent some time in the past writing for various magazines on bikes and biking culture. Indeed, I still write and I will try to remember to put a link to my webpage, though it is a different kind of writing these days.
My first bike, a Suzuki GT250, still sporting L plates.
I don’t take much in life seriously so my musing can be sometimes seen as on the edge of what is considered ‘normal’ when it comes to articles on a motorcycling subject, as I always try to make the material humorous, thought provoking or downright controversial – sometimes a mix of all three. Therefore, you will no doubt find yourself disagreeing, smiling or frowning deeply, - sometimes, a mix of all three.
This is my style, if you don’t like it, don’t read it but please don’t try to engage me on why I’m wrong or why you love that particular bike or why I am so ‘not politically correct’.
That isn’t why I wrote it. Instead, write your own piece and I will publish it here.
A 60s C15, this was my day-to-day hack.
So back to my background.
Yes, I have been riding bikes for fifty, yes fifty years and as you can imagine over that time I have ridden a plethora of bikes of many various styles. Some good, some appalling, and some that I still have fond memories of. In that time, I also worked as a mechanic on British iron and later ran a business with a friend renovating British, Italian and Japanese machines.
The first Brit Bike we renovated - BSA B40.
This isn’t to say that you should take any notice of anything I say, for I truly believe that what makes motorcycling unique is the vast array of bikes and rider styles and it is definitely not a ‘one size fits all’ sort of hobby.
My treasured Thunderbird, a bike I wish I still had.
The articles that will appear here will be aimed at entertainment rather than a definitive test ride or comment on biking styles and I hope you will see it as that. I will also try to add some of the old articles written for the magazines assuming I can get their permission.
I also hope to include articles and test rides from other people and maybe a few of you out there would like us to do an article on your own bike.
My current bike - Kawasaki 10R.
On the same theme, if there are any subjects or bikes you would like to see articles about please get in touch and we’ll see what we can do. In the mean-time, if you think you might like to read on then please do.
Oh and a warning. If you are easily offended or ride a BMW, walk on by.
And yes, I almost forgot. Here is a link to my websites as promised.
