It's all her fault - until 1998 I had been quite happy to admire
motorcycles from afar. The arrival of Bron's first bike, a brand- spanking new
red Yamaha XJ600N had me hooked immediately. For her to allow me to wobble
around a deserted carpark only hours after it was delivered was a great
confidence booster. So what's the attraction for us? Probably the mind-blowing
acceleration demonstrated by even the most average motorcycle. O-60 mph is
achieved in less than 4 seconds whilst today's hypersports machines will do it
in under 3 seconds. Some 1000cc bikes produce 180bhp in standard tune yet weigh around 170kgs.
This yields a power-to-weight ratio which could never be achieved in anything
less than a Formula 1 racing car or top end dragster.
Bron actually has two sports bikes. Her blue Suzuki SV650S
replaced the trusty Yamaha and is an excellent all-round bike whether commuting
to work or delivering up the goods around the twisties. The "need for
speed" was satisfied with the arrival of a red Honda VTR1000. For economic
reasons this bike ended up on my insurance policy, an adoption I was all too
willing to undertake and exploit to the full.
Where we live could be described as the gateway to "God's
own riding roads". Some of the best tarmac in the country is just over the
border in Wales. Routes are devised, learn and the laws of gravity continually
challenged in more and more enthusiastic attempts to "make progress"
as the Institute of Advanced Motorists would put it. In other words, ride
it like you stole it!!
