Do a track day at a race circuit, scare yourself silly, see how you feel afterwards. I did this and also a Yamaha off road day in mid wales which was brilliant, that was after 17 years off bikes, now I just stick to mountainbiking.
My crash slowed me down, nothing like meeting the reaper to make you re-evaluate. I still ride, just less like an arse. The Bike Safe courses are really good and provide you with extra skills that the ordinary test doesn't touch, I did it with Gwent Constabulary and can definatley say that what i learnt has saved me 3 times. I've been riding on and off road since i was a kid and know the bug of riding bikes but somedays, seeing the pillocks on the road, i do wonder if i want to take the bike out. Best of Luck to you!
Ever done some 1/4 mile drag racing dude? And I'm not talking @rickyrooo1 style either!! Proper addictive going out and running a fast 1/4!! Buy a cheap solid bug, plenty of unfinished projects out there, build a big engine for it, and tweak it until it goes as fast as you can
And I've only done it relatively slowly in comparison to others But even so, it's a rush every time!!
Rode motorbikes for 25 years … had a few near misses etc … gave up 8 years ago, but nearly bought a Bonnie a couple of years later. Still sometime wonder about another bike, but it would be a classic for pottering on and the sensible head says you got away with it for 25 years you had your fun move on …. Mind I don't have enough time to do everything i would like and like @Flakey stick to mountain bikes now. Just about to get my wet weather clobber on and fix me lights up and then I'll be off up on the ranges for some off road fun in the dark If I come off less likely to hurt myself than I would if I was doing 100mph on a motorbike.
I returned to biking after 25 years and did a back to biking day with a local bike school before buying. Then, on recommendation, did the training and passed the IAM Advanced test. It was the best thing I ever did, my intention was to make sure I kept my self a safe as possible but didn't expect it to massively increase my enjoyment of biking. You are more vunerable on a bike but if you don't ride like a ***** there is a huge satisfaction in knowing that you can ride progressively without taking undue risks. The Bikesafe courses are very good but very much a quick fix, the IAM or ROSPA courses take much longer but you will definitely benefit in the long run. If it's just speed you are after go for a track day, at least everyone is travelling in the same direction and there will be no dimwhit car drivers with their eyes half shut. If it's just an adrenalin rush then get your self onto a theme park ride. What ever you do ride safe.
well wireless is on crutches for crashing at 20 mph. having some one pull out on him. mu mate braked hard on his Lambretta. and broke his Collar bone. if you do decide to get another Bike, make sure your life insurance take care of the ones you leave behind.
I'm not sure it's fair classing bikes and scooters together. I rode a scooter for the first time at the BSB round at Silverstone which was a pit bike for one of the teams and did a couple of tours around the circuit perimeter road and paddock. It was fun but a bit of a shock. The small wheels mean it's not very stable, there wasn't that much ground clearance and the whole thing felt much less secure than a "proper" bike. Also very few people wear protective gear on scooters as to be fair you would look a bit of bell end in full leathers. Meanwhile you are just as invisible to car drivers who as we know prefer to keep their head between their butt cheeks at junctions hence "sorry didn't see you mate" in spite of day glow leathers and headlights on. At least with leathers you have decent protection though. The fun of bikes is swooping through country lanes and cornering. I am guessing the fun of scooters is zipping around town and along Brighton sea front. Both have their merits but they are different.
Yes m'lord, I was temporarily blinded by his day-glo gear and headlight permanently stuck on full beam... Lets be fair to car drivers, they don't sneak past you between the lanes on a motorway doing twice the speed you are. I would NOT like to be involved in an accident with a bike, but TBH IMO there are a greater % of idiots on bikes than in cars. I was overtaken by one going at least twice my speed (60mph) on an A-road while pulling a wheelie for a good 200 yards. Now I'm sure in his own mind he was a safe rider and no doubt had he hit a car pulling out from a side road all the bikers would blame the car, but if you do 100+ in a 60, or 180mph on the motorway you only have yourself to blame if someone pulls out on you - you weren't in view when they looked 2 seconds earlier.
Zed , your a little bit harsh on bike riders In general the vast majority of bike riders ride them in such a way as you would expect of them . And use then as a major form of transport and well maintain them in such a way that car drivers never maintain their vehicles. In relation to the other riders ,the wheely type of rider , they are a different breed and perhaps more adrenalin junkies who perhaps also drive their cars in the same wreckless manner , probably enjoy base jumping and other dangerous past times. I personaly dont believe that such riders are genuine bikers and should not perhaps be classed as bike riders in aa general discussion . Like wise not all car drivers have it in for bike riders , i list in order who i find to be the worst Taxi drivers Bus drivers People on motorways that wont move over to left to allow bikes to pass at a reasonable speed in standing traffic Wheely performing bike riders that drive cars ?.... People driving in england in general Women drivers ....... Not realy just trying to raise an eyebrow , they are no worse than men
This is why biker's are seen as such knobs (there is a lot of swearing, please don't watch if it offends you). This even has Manc (I think) fighting. You need to watch the video the whole way through.
I`ve ridden bikes for the last 40 years and sold my old bonnie last September, had it 30+ years... Not regretted it one iota - roads are ridiculously busy and the chances of getting nicked for speeding/knocked off/throwing it down the road are MUCH higher than a few years ago. Rose tinted glasses mon ami, sometimes things are best left Ahhh .....and before the more knowlegable start with the slow `70 oil leaking relic, I also raced for 30 years and embarrassed a fair few riders on `nice` roads riding modern tackle - it`s not what you`ve got, it`s how you use it .....
ive lost three mates to bikes last time i went to a funeral i sold my bike i miss it like mad and would love another. ive three kids now so wouldnt risk it but i totaly know where you coming from
^^^^^^^ Terrible kev ... went to 7 in 1996 - bloody good riders, nothing makes the healing any better, i just remember the good times and many a beer....
