Back To Biking - After 10 Years Away, What Has Changed Has Shocked Me 

Note the growth of retro bikes. A lot of riders don't want to go from A to B in the shortest possible time, they want to bimble about in the fresh air on a motorcycle whose workings they understand and can even fix.

I’m 45. Got into biking two years ago during covid and it’s the best thing I’ve ever done. I absolutely love for it now and being part of the club feels great. I would urge anyone with any inkling to learn to just do it. You’ll never look back. Way better than driving

Glad you mentioned how friendly bikers are towards each other, I can recall multiple times when other bikers have helped me out when I’ve been stuck at the side of the road - most memorably when one guy stopped, then rode 10 miles (and back) to the nearest petrol station to get me a Jerry can full of fuel. That saved me a hell of a long walk ☺️

I’m 57 and recently completed my direct access course. I had a moped when I was a teenager then, as you remarked, got a job, bought a car, got married and had a family and never went back. Always loved the freedom of the bike and now I’ve had the chance to get back into it, partly because of finances but also a desire to challenge myself and to exercise is my mind again, get active and achieve something new. I found the direct access quite challenging but really enjoyed studying and learning all over again. I’ve bought a Triumph Speedmaster and it is amazing, the freedom, the community, the adrenaline, the noise and the unexpected and very welcome mental health benefits that I had no idea about until getting back out on the road on two wheels. I love the tech, love the gear, love everything about it. Can’t wait to hear how you get on.

I came back to riding a couple of years ago after over 30 years without a bike. If I'm honest, modern superbikes do nothing for me. My last bike in my 20s was a Suzuki GSX1100 Katana, which I loved. Then in 2019, entirely on a whim, I bought a Yamaha FJ1200 off Ebay, because it was a bike my best mate owned and raved about. The power and performance of that bike was plenty, you couldn't ride it anywhere near it's potential on the road and still be safe. That bike had 130BHP. I rode a 2012 Fireblade that was even more extreme, and I really don't see the point. I now have a gorgeous 1997 Ducati 750SS which has 70BHP, no ABS, no rider aids, nothing. It's the most enjoyable bike I've ever ridden, and it's just SO pretty! When I ride with friends on 1000cc moderns, they don't get away if we're all being reasonably sensible, and I can service it and fix it myself. That is one thing that's disappeared over the years. So few bikers work on their own bikes now. That is something I miss, the Saturday morning with 5 bikes on someone's drive, all being tinkered with, and coffee and bacon butties! I hope you enjoy the journey Jay, I love my Ducati, but will probably never buy a new bike!

I really enjoyed this! A bit about me - I'm 74 and at 17 I bought an old Triumph Tigress 250 scooter which back then in the '60s I could ride on my provisional car licence. 250cc was the upper limit, and I had to have L plates and no pillion. It got me around cheaply, but I really wanted a car but couldn't afford one. Once I passed my car test (first time!) I borrowed my mum's old Wolsely 4/44, and later her 2-seat Sunbeam Alpine sports car. The Tigress was knackered by then and went for scrap. My own car ownership started in about 1971 and bikes were never an interest. Aeroplanes were, though, and I started gliding and by 1978 had my private pilots licence. I bought a share a lovely de Havilland Chipmunk, learned aerobatics, bought into a Russian Yak 52 advanced aerobatic machine (more warbird than light aircraft, with a 360hp Vendeneyeve9 cylinder supercharged radial engine - round engines are just special!). I noticed many of my flying mates were into bikes - the two interests often go together. Long story short I decided to join them on ride outs, so I did CBT and DAS and at age 50 had a full fat licence. First bike was a VFR800, followed by a Blackbird. That was stupidly fast but bland; 70 on the motorway felt as if you could get off and walk, and it made no interesting noises. So next was BMW R1150GS - that was more like it! Bags of character! I rode that from Cheshire to the Sahara and back on a World of BMW holiday, and later all around Europe. I'd only had my licence 2 years and was a tad apprehensive, but I coped OK and had a whale of a time. But the GS was a bit tall for my short 29" inseam so I sold it and bought a 1979 Bonneville. The first and last time I will buy an old classic! I vibrated like a jackhammer (Edward Turner reckoned 500cc was the limit for his parallel twin, but chasing the Japanese imports, this was 750cc). It leaked oil and need constant fettling to keep it going. It never actuallu broke down on me but I always felt it was going to. And often, it just didn't want to start (kick start of course). So that went and I bought a Suzuki 650cc single - a Freewind, for the bargain price of £1500, and rode it home from Reading in pi55ing rain. I liked that bike but again it was a tad tall for me. About this time I also bough a Honda C90 for local bimbling. After the Freewind came a Moto Guzzi Griso 1200 8 valve, with Termignoni exhaust. That was just lovely, but it it turned out to have poorly specified cams so before it destroyed itself I sold it on at a loss to a guy with a tame mechanic who could fit the very expensive uprated parts, Then I bought a new Kawasaki W800 as I thought it might be a reliable modern equivalent to that old Bonnie. It was, but its lack of performance (48hp) and weak brakes meant that had to go. About this time the C90 was replaced with a 125cc Honda Innova - still a cub but with more power, 4 gears instead of 3, better brakes, and better handling. I've still got that and I love it - a 2012 model, the last they made, and I got it in 2015. So the W800 was replaced by a BMW R9T. Loads of power, excellent brakes - a great bike. But as time went on and I got into my 70s the feet-tucked-up forward-leaning riding position was becoming uncomfortable. So a few weeks ago that was traded for a new Triumph Bonneville Speedmaster Chrome edition. I love it! Upright riding position, forward foot pegs and controls so no severe leg bending, bags of power and torque, excellent brakes. And it sound GORGEOUS! It blatts and roars when you give it power, and crackles and pops on the over-run like Merlin in a Spitfire! How they got it through Euro 5 regs I'll never know! Been out on it today in the Derbyshire Peak - fabulous! Looking forward to part 2 of your vid. By the way, my 4-wheel toy is a 2.0 181hp Mazda MX5 ND2 in that lovely Soul Red. That Alpine of my mum's sowed a seed for open 2-seat spots cars. I had Triumph Spitfires in my early '20s as a result and after years of 'sensible' cars (many of them company cars) I've gone back to a simple lightweight but practical and reliable 2 seat open sports car. And..... we MX5 drivers wave to each other, just like bikers do! Best Vince

I’ve had my 2004 (5PW) R1 for almost twenty years. Plenty fast enough, and still looks as sharp as when it came out. We’re now both of that age where we just enjoy each others company.

I'm late to biking. I only passed two years ago, and I'm 56. Apparently, the average age of people passing their bike tests in the UK is 57 years old. I love biking, I'm doing my third UK tour next month. Riding a motorcycle is fantastic for your mental health. My bike has just under 120 hp which is plenty for the road.

Watching this on a tour of France with my wife who not only has her licence and a Triumph Street Triple 675, but is also quicker than me on my Triumph Tiger 1200! The biking community is just the best we have friends for life who we've met through the bikes, it's a drug and I love the fact you're getting 'back on' Try the Tiger range James I'm sure you'd love the speed and versatility of these superb bikes. Great video as always, welcome back, ride safe bud!😎

Ive been riding for 50 years, Im horrified to hear about the A2 bike situation. I can see why there are so few young bikers now, In my youth it was the cost of new big bikes that prevented us from moving off 250s to 750s and maybe saved a few lives , including mine. I have broken many bones and spent time in hospitals and wheelchairs but riding bikes and meeting many lifelong friends has enhanced my life and my appreciation of life. I have 5 bikes now and 4 cars, my partner and I are marshalling at the MGP tomorrow, roll on the next 50 years

I returned to bikes a little over 4 years ago now after a 25 year break, and I'm loving it. The truth is I always loved riding, but as with a lot of people, life got in the way. I was slighly apprehensive at first, but I took a back to biking course for a couple of days, the second day of which was a tour around North wales on a Honda 650, and any doubts I had soon melted away on that day. It gave me, in all honesty, the biggest high I had had for decades, and when I got home I was bouncing with happiness. A back to biking course may be something for you to consider. I was riding with a Rospa Gold standard instructor, and the tips he was giving me on how to ride safely as we cruised along the country roads and navigated busy city streets was invaluable.

Cracking video, I'm 22, did my A1 at 17 and intend to just skip A2 and go straight to A, as another thing to note about the A2 test is you essentially can't do it on your own bike (due to insurance) so you have to go through a school which adds a lot to the cost. Had some fairly interesting stuff on an A1 license though, Cagiva Mito, Suzuki RG125, Vespa PX and currently on the world's dullest bike, a Honda CG125. Plenty of fun to be had even with the small licence categories.

I’m in my mid 40s and only did my CBT last year, hoping to do the full test this year. Even on a 125cc I love it, so much fun and freedom. I only gave it a go because I was so fed up with cars, the cost, the move to EVs and bikes seemed like a great alternative. I don’t regret it at all, the scene is so interesting, so much to learn and some great gear out there too. Looking forward to some more bike content from you 👍

Another great video. I'm learning more about UK licensing. I had a 2012 CBR 600 and loved it but a few years later I decided to get a dog and she has deserved my full attention since and so sold the bike to a good friend.

When I passed my test there was no theory and in the practical the instructor just stood on the side of the road as you rode past. What kids have to do now is pretty intimidating. As an impatient youth I doubt I would bother today. I probably would look to get my thrills from one of those electric skateboards or similar. Respect to those that do persevere, because it is worth it!

Completely agree, bikers are a different breed, car owners get so defensive and argumentative over who’s got the best, bikers don’t care, all bikes are well respected and all the people are like minded. I currently have an mt10 as you say new bikes are now so fast but much easier to ride. Looking forward to seeing this series develop

I know what you mean about bikes having changed. I got off a '99 Kawasaki ZX9R years ago and had a LONG break from riding (family, career etc., usual story). I then bought a '19 Yamaha XSR900. The advancements in that time are incredible. I also noticed the average age of motorcyclists had increased. It now seems to be a middle age, middle class leisure pursuit rather than a cheap way for youngsters to go fast. I passed in '93 when I was 18. CBT then practical - ride what you like!

After 6 years off a bike I picked up my 2017 s1000rr today from Bournemouth. I had a 170 mile ride home and had forgotten how much I had missed biking. You won't regret getting back on a bike James.

I've recently been on a similar journey myself. Turned 40 this year, sold my VFR800 VTEC in 2019 and wanted something fun yet easy on the wrists. Eventually snapped up a Honda CB650R and it's just like my old CBR600 but actually comfortable! Thanks to your previous vid, I have now replaced my crash helmet too (Shoei GT Air 2). I agree that modern day power levels are just insane! 240+ bhp is one hell of a lot on two wheels. Wahey! Loving the bike content, thanks 👍

Jay, I’m lucky enough to have taken all of my tests simply. Born 1959, took my first test on my FS1e in about 1975, because, unlike most of my mates, I had an actual living, breathing girlfriend and needed the pillion space. Moving on, one more test was all it took (which I took on a borrowed Honda C90 step-thru) and off I went. Getting on for 50 years a biker now, it is the one activity that has given me the most consistent joy. I’m lucky to have not come off in over 35 years (when I destroyed a Kawasaki z750 turbo) and currently run a Triumph 1200 Scrambler and a 2001 Kawasaki ZRX 1100. I’m retired from work now, and love biking as much as I ever did!! Just as you asked, Michael Mam of “The Mam Journals” on RU-vid is a recommended watch. All the best. Stay safe!!

I passed my test in ‘92 when I 17 and was able to then legally allowed to ride anything.. I stuck with my kmx125 for a while though. 31yrs later I still love bikes and ride mostly on tours as much as possible! Thanks for the bike content good to hear your past story and future plans 👍🏻 welcome back to the clan!

I used to love bikes when I was 12-15. I used to go on the back of my stepfathers one, it was amazing. Where life was focused elsewhere I basically forgot about bikes until I was mid 30s. At that point I decided to do the CBT and test out having a 125. I really liked it, and less than a year later completed the full A license via DAS. OMG, I wish I did this years ago. Not only are bikes a lot of fun, they are amazing commuter tools. I went out for a hack today, but when I finished I went for a small shop. I only needed some beer, bacon, sausages, you know, the essentials. And on the way home I noticed something... traffic jams don't exist. I literally just rode past it all. It's the same on the way to work, I just don't have to worry about traffic anymore. It's genuinley not something that plays a part in my ride to work. Lastly, I'm on a machine that even with me on it has a hp/ton ratio beyond most 4 wheelers on the road. I cannot pretend I don't sometimes just send the thing :) I'm still that 15 year old boy sometimes.

For 30+ years I’ve been essentially been riding the same reincarnating bike (a British standard). A month ago I bought a 2009 BMW F650GS (798cc parallel twin). My life has changed. It is so composed over every road surface. It has so many things I’ve never had: a fuel gauge, a sixth gear, baggage, a fairing, a windscreen, a seat that is comfortable for more than a couple hours, a trip computer, ABS, traction control.. mind blown.

You are quite right, the bike licence requirements are just a pain now for young people. My daughter is 17 and loves coming out as a pillion with me. She is starting here driving lessons soon but said she wants to do a bike test after she's got her car licence. When I explained what she'd have to do and the age she can do them she said it was daft and too much of a hassle and would probably perfer her car at that point.

Hello J. I turned 57 this year so I got myself a Ducati monster821 in February after 17 years away from motorcycling. It’s the most fun I’ve had for a long time on the roads. I think with your perspective it will make a excellent addition to the RU-vid bike programs. Jamie.

Completely agree on the fact it’s too complicated to start riding - I think this is stopping young people getting into biking. Thanks for the shoutout - watched this before exploring some French countryside on a 207hp naked bike that has electronics to let to you experience full throttle in first gear without 💩 😅

I‘m from Germany but the process of getting your license is almost the same. I did the whole thing with getting a restricted bike - first 33hp, then 48hp and later unrestricted 78hp on a 2006 Suzuki Bandit 650. So I hope what I say will resonate with somebody. I‘m now almost 7 year and about 70.000km into my motorcycle journey and doing all the hoop-jumping and experiencing the same bike with different levels of power was just the right thing. I bought my naked Bandit with unknown amount of previous owners, carburated, oil and air cooled engine and without any electronic riding aids. Back then it was a financially motivated decision. By now I own a Triumph Street Triple 765 rs which is a fantastic bike and was my dream bike for a long time. Riding primarily country roads in Black Forest in south Germany with lots of long bends, sharp turns and very little straights, it’s probably one of the quickest and nimblest bikes there is. It‘s a piece of cake to run circles around sportbikes with even more power. But there is one thing, that bothers me: that‘s the power. About 120hp is already an insane amount of power. When looking for my second bike I also rode a GSX-S 1000 amongst others and even equiped with all the eletronic aids it is just not something I would ever recommend anybody. Looking back on one year riding the 765 I thing I wouldn‘t choose it again as my second bike - not because it‘s not a brilliant machine, but because 120hp from a bike which weighs less than 200kg is way more than anyone ever needs on public roads. I totally understand the need for more power and speed, because that was also one reason why I decided on the Triumph myself and I‘m sure I will grow into the bikes potential because I barely miss a day of good and sometimes bad weather to ride the bike. But in my eyes the A2 segment with bikes around 80-100hp is just right for almost any rider. Much more important than power is probably the engine layout, seating position and overall geometry of the bike and the rider; and of course the level of experience and regular training. Modern day bikes are just so capable, that you don‘t need much more power. And driving a less powerfull machine and carefully getting to know the limits is so much more entertaining. This comes from somebody that really, really likes and enjoys to go fast but equally want‘s to come back home to my partner in one piece. Ride save everybody

Good to see bikes featuring on your channel and it will be interesting to see where you go with it. There's a lot of bike content out there but returning/newer biker might be a good niche for you

Great stuff James and welcome back to bikes. I've been riding for 35+ years and took a Rospa advanced rider course/test last year. I wish I'd done it years ago - I would highly recommend to anyone to do it.

I bought my first bike in 1981 - a CB100N and rode various bikes for about 8 or 9 years. I can back to biking in 2012 when we lived in the USA. I bought a Triumph Tiger 1200. Brought her back to the UK with us in 2015 and decided to downsize in 2022. Now riding a Triumph Tiger Sport 660. Light, easy to move around by hand and plenty fast enough to get me on a Driver Awareness course within a month of buying it 😁 Got the quickshifter option which is so easy to use. Not only are there too many hoops to jump through for younger riders but the costs are so much more than getting a car licence. Welcome back to the biker family.

Having ridden for 40+ years my journey went from small bikes with little tech to larger bikes with loads of tech then back to smaller bikes with minimal tech. A modern retro would compliment your classic bike in the garage, Triumph if you want some tech, Royal Enfield for a more basic and budget friendly option. Whatever you choose will love to watch the videos :)

I’m 70 still ride I have noticed that the age range has changed when I started out it was a mode of transport to get to work as couldn’t afford a car and all my mates had bikes this at 18. Passed my test which was riding rounds set course with the examiner watching whilst hiding so you didn’t no where he was and the appearing in the road with a clip board for the emergency stop. Did this on a 125 bantam passed and bought a BSA Gold Star the next day. Now most of the riders seem to be in there 40s due to price and also the insurance costs as well as the gear you need. I remember the Bell ad if you have a 10 dollar head then buy a 10 helmet. If you ride today the cost of good leathers and helmet is not cheap. Also car drivers now do not appreciate bikers because most of them haven’t a clue about giving us room when overtaking or filtering. I couriered for 7years in London back in the 80s and 90s no speed cameras and also the amount of traffic was less. All I can say have eyes in the back of your head these days

Hi, I am a new biker. Got mad at work and I just had the feeling to buy me something to feel beter so I ended up buying a Kawasaki Versys 650 gen 2. The wife was mad but I must say it changed my life. When I ride it give me a happy face all the time. Today I'm riding with a guy who bought a Vespa and is afraid to go on the road just to show him it is possible to do it. I was also afraid until one of my friends took me out. Hope he like it. Does'nt matter big or small bike the happy face is always there and that is what biking is about. Luckily my wife is more understanding now and when I'm ready I will take her for a spin.

I used to ride a 125 about 20 years ago then stopped due to family/work/car/life but recently took my CBT again and about to do my MOD2 in a few weeks and heading straight for a mid sized adventure bike. My wife has already passed her A2 and will stay there, she has a Kawasaki z400 and absolutely loves it! We can’t wait to get out on some tours now our kids are growing up and we are getting some free time back!

I had a bike for 15 years and rode 6-10k a year. I then had a spell off of the bike (5 years or so) and got back on last year. The biggest change that I noticed after a relatively short time away is the state of the roads, pot holes everywhere. When you do get back out there, steady away lad. Always great content 👌

Took a break of 10 years then restarted in Hong Kong with smaller bikes & surprisingly ended up sticking with them. Grom 125 & more recently CB300r which seems the sweet spot for me. As others have said there's as much smiles per mile in taking your time especially with the ever increasing speed restrictions. What's that saying;- Better to ride a slow bike fast than a fast bike slow...

I got back into biking after a 29 year break… I know what you mean about the 600s - my 90’s bike was a Kawasaki ZZR600. I took the plunge in 2020 with a new Triumph Tiger 900 GT Pro, figuring like you that the more kit and creature comforts the better. I also found the ADV bike riding position “friendlier” for a lapsed biker like myself (never mind knees that don’t bend so well in my 50’s…). I’ve just come back from a week long trip to the Black Forest in Germany. Had a blast on the amazing roads of Belgium, Luxembourg, France and Germany, but now covetously looking at the Multistrada V4…

Have multiple bikes. Some loud, some not. Jay, one thing to remember about the new super high horsepower bikes is that the electronic nannies are very good at keeping you in one piece. Unlike my 259 hp turbo Hayabusa street fighter. It's just all terrifying, all the time. And i love it!!

I returned to biking after my divorce. Fortunately did my direct access in the early 90’s when I was in my late 20s so not limited by cc. Joined my local IAM bike Group, made some great friends & have never looked back. We still all ride together most weekends & go on a European tour every year. Like others have said, riding a bike is great for your mental health. You don’t need more than 125bhp on the road to have great fun & enjoy yourself. Best wishes on your journey, I will follow with interest.

Rode Motocross in my teens. Then in my mid forties got a street scrambler with 52bhp. Rode it for a couple of seasons. Then moved to a 2013Triumph Speed triple 1050cc 130bhp naked sport bike. After riding that for a few years. Now im looking at adding a rally style dual sport bike. So much fun to be had!

When I was young I was all about having the fastest sportiest bike I could afford. I had a GSXR600 which was an amazing piece of engineering but it was so fast and capable that it was pretty much pointless riding it on public roads as I just felt I was holding it back the whole time in order to not be ridiculously over the speed limit. I've now got a naked that feels fast at anything over 50mph and has only 67bhp but I've never felt I needed more power.

Tuning in from Alabama, USA where it's LOADS less complicated to qualify for your unlimited cc license right off the bat. Enjoyed your clearly enunciated presentation. No need for subtitles on this channel!

I’ve been into bikes my whole life and I’m now seventy years old. I bought a Honda Fireblade CB 1000 RR in 2009 and loved it, but it’s not a bike for anyone who does not have a high level of skill and confidence. Otherwise it has the ability to get you into severe trouble, quickly. I’d stay away from bikes with high levels of power to weight ratio (900+ HO per tonne). Your intended use should determine what bike you need. Almost any bike above 250cc will leave all cars at the lights or in traffic. There are so many bikes that it’s hard to advise further without knowing how you’ll use it. But good luck with it. Australia

I have returned myself to motorcycling after 6 years of pause but returned few years ago. Never had 'new ' bike back then but manage to get one now but very different from your teste. Seams that when you are talking about bikes, you only mean super sport and sport naked ones but as you know bikes are huge variety of shapes, sizes and function since the 80's. What surprised me at my return was... 1 Automatic head lights 2 Fuel injection and abs on every bike as standard. Even the small ones 3 Musty digital display clusters 4 Improved fuel efficiency at the same time more power 5 More hard to work om/ too complicated 6 Tires get fatter 7. Non chain drive new bikes /except scooters/ are very very rare now 8 Improved service /oil change intervals 9 Automatic robotized gear boxes exists now for big non scooter bikes 10 Optional quick shifters for non super sport bikes /mostly for adv/ 11 Old legendary bikes/models are returned reborn and they are good 12 End of mostly Japanese domination / European brands strike back 13 Faired bikes have lost part of their fairings 14 Many accessories are now not standard and you buy them after = more money 15 Loss of quality on few places. Mostly on plastic fairings. 16 The rise of small to mid size bike is huge, mostly for money reasons

I had a bike with ABS. Crashed it ! I now have a 128hp bike, ABS in my right foot and hand, quickshifter in my left hand and foot and traction control in my right wrist !!! Quite happy with that, thank you ! I know how to ride.

Jay, good to see the bike content! I rode from my 20’s and had Hondas (VTR250 then CBR1000rr. Switched to a triumph thruxton when I became a Dad to be sensible. I had a break of 8 years then the wife surprised me by getting her licence and buying a shiny red Vespa. I had to get back into biking as well and got a Ducati Monster 796 (also red). Haven’t looked back. Modern aids like ABS and slippper clutches are definite improvements. Looking forward to seeing what you choose as your main ride!

Thanks Jay. Great job. Good info. God bless. HAPPY TRAILS

I'm so glad I got my licence back in 99. Bikes and bike tech have come on a long way. I've recently swapped my old sports by for an adventure style less power but way more comfortable. New bikes are getting more power from fewer cubes and they are lighter.

Hiya. Just watched this and thoroughly enjoyed it. You are clearly enthusiastic and knowledgeable. I love what I've watched so far. I passed my full licence 15 months ago at the age of 65. The last time I rode I was 30, and that was a 125. I wanted to get back on a bike while I still could. It was scary at first, as you point out, bikes had changed so much etc, but I have to say I am so glad I did. Got my cbt, then rode on a Honda 125 for 7 months before doing a DAS course, which led me passing the A test. I now ride a triumph street twin and feel almost like a young man again lol. I hope you continue with this channel as I shall certainly be tuning in. I'm looking forward to part 2. Take care. Frank

As for other channels Fortnine is a no brainer. Fantastic channel with great content and presenting. Bennet's bike social is another you've not mentioned that does great content

I would recommend the canal Bennett BikeSocial and for instance, the "what bike next" episodes.

My wife has been a biker for years. I was always cautious with them but decided to take my test last year. Best thing I ever did. The excitement I get when I’m going out is an amazing feeling. Good luck with getting back in to it jay.

Really recommend the bike channel Fortnine. The production quality is outstanding and in a league of it's own in my opinion.

I got back into biking because cars were getting so appliance like and little soul, once you get back into biking it opens up a whole world and sounds like your already experiencing that, a car is for arriving a bike is for the trip 👍

Not watched all of this video yet but I love the concept! I only started biking in early 2020 at 27 with essentially no prior knowledge of bikes. Looking back it seems to me like modern riders are less concerned about having *the fastest bike possible* and instead are more into bimbling along, touring or "adventure" riding. Also parallel twins are the biking equivalent of the downsized turbocharged four cylinders that are now pretty ubiquitous in most non-exotic performance cars.

Loving the bike content! Got into bikes 5 years ago at 27. The RU-vid channels you mentioned have been great companions to me and have definitely enhanced my bike knowledge and skill plus given me inspiration on what to buy Makes me happy to see my favourite car RU-vidr now getting back into bikes, ‘the biker nod’ comment was spot on! I have a RE Interceptor for chill retro vibes and a ‘18 plate Multistrada 950 for touring 💪🏼

I got into bikes because I unashamedly watched the long way round and thought… I fancy some of that. My and my mate did our tests got a bike each and me and go on holiday on them. We both say we wouldn’t bother doing the same trips in cars. Something about bikes you can’t match in cars

I came back to bikes after around 25 years away from it. Probably my only regret in life is being off bikes for so long. I eased back into it last year with a Ducati Panigale SP2, which is a bit mind-blowing. I’ve been using it on track this year and got a 2006 Ducati SportClassic for the road. Bikes are great for your mental health and there’s a definite feeling of community amongst bikers, regardless of background. The new President over here is a biker. Enjoy the journey and I hope the content does well for you.

Thrilled to hear you’re back on two wheels! As for content - I would recommend speaking to one of the big advanced rider agencies, IAM, ROSPA or rapid training and see if they’ll let you document that process as they have brilliant courses. If you’re interested in seeing what they’re all about, a RU-vidr called seaflyfisher has a motorcycle masterclass series where he talks through the thought processes while riding. As for bikes to look into - your cars have always suggested you like something quirky and fun rather than outright fast. Have you considered the husqvarna svartpilen 701? It’s a big, characterful single cylinder with enough grunt to be entertaining but not so much that you can’t rag it.

yeesss very interesting to see bikes and stuff with your way of presenting cars !

I don't normally comment, but wanted to clear up the licensing. I'm an instructor and deal with this all the time. A1 is for 17-19 only, and no good school will advise you do this, as it's essentially a CBT without L plates, waste of time and money. A2 is unlocked at 19, you don't need to pass an A1 test to move up to it, you do your test on an A2 machine and you're away. You do have the bike restrictions right though, 46(ish)hp and from no more than double that Full A license. Once you hit 24 you can go straight for the full A license, no need for the A2 or A1 at this point The first license you choose to do you need a theory, mod1 and mod2. If you're upgrading, say from A2 to A there is no need for a new theory. Most schools agree that this is convoluted and unnecessary, and almost everyone I know in the trade would prefer they scrap the re-licensing scheme and go to the old version again. The issue with the old version in terms of restrictions, as you could ride an unlimited bike restricted, you had people riding bikes such as the s1000rr with well over 200hp 'restricted' and it was up to the police to prove any wrong doing. A restriction certificate was easy to get, and it didn't matter who signed it, so I get why they did the double horsepower side of things. In terms of no honda cbr600, as far as I'm aware(I could be wrong here but I remember this all coming out when Honda was dropping it), taxation and emissions killed the 600cc supersports. Tighter regulation at that tax class meant they couldn't get the bikes through, but a 650 is the next tax class up, so they're far easier to get through. The emissions killed middle weight bikes, with the new middleweight now being around 750-800cc. Look at any of the big brands and they generally have a 650/750 starter bike(sv650, mt07 f800gs), a couple of 800/900s of varying styles a big sports bike and a big adventure tourer. One last thing, being an instructor, I only see a handful of people per year actually do the A2 license, most wait until 24 and then do their license, or in most cases, end up doing their car test and coming back to it in later life, it's a real shame as biking in the UK is dying out. BMW brought out the 310 series of bikes, and KTM have been making a 300 for a while, but they don't seem to sell well in the UK at all, so most manufacturers just offer a bigger, restrictable bike to save costs and, in theory, double the target audience for that bike. Some of what I've said here is my thoughts, especially around the taxation and emissions cutting off 600cc bikes, so if anything there is wrong I'd be interested in knowing the real reason. I can say what I've said about licensing is 100%, dealing with it every day is a pita

It is so interesting listening to what you have to do. I am 54 and live in the US. I got a permit at 14 and road my own motorcycle with my dad riding his own motorcycle until I was 16. At 16 I had take a basic rider course and pass. Once that was done, I got my motorcycle license and could ride any bike. There were no limitations on size or horsepower.

I’m happy for you I can sense your eagerness to get back out there I’ve been biking for just over 30 years now and I’ve noticed the decline in younger people getting into it if you go to a bike meet or show and look around it’s mainly 30s and above and I believe it’s due mostly to the test process and partly due to the cost Motorcycle gear is expensive and so are the bikes It once was a cheaper alternative to owning a car but far from it now On a plus side I do think there are more women bikers nowadays and that definitely wasn’t the case when I started out at 16

Just starting my bike journey in the midst of going through all the hoops thankfully doing direct access. Was put off for abit with the mod 1 but got that over with and sitting my road test soon can't wait 👍 Timing of this series couldn't be better for me can't wait to see what route you go

Bikers make the best drivers. Having a car and a bike is the best for recipe for a life of happiness & wellbeing

Cruise control is amazing on my Aprilia RS660. It saved me from so many speeding tickets, just set it to 50 km/h.

I took my test in 1977. You turned up at the test centre on your anything less than 250cc bike - the guy walked outside to the real road and watched you pull away telling you to go round the block and come back. On the second time around the block he said he would jump out in front of me to test my emergency braking skills. I could see him about to jump out in front of me a mile away. It took about 15 minutes. I passed. 45 years and probably about 100,000 miles later I've come off bikes 17 times (I can tell you quite clearly still about most of those spills) - never hit anything else (apart from dirt) or hurt myself too badly - been banned 4 times - done one track day and only had two years when I didn't have a bike. Now own a 2005 R1 and a Honda x-adv. Life is short don't waste it.

Excelllent video. As usual, very in depth and informative. The advantage now is that there is so much choice. Years ago it was sport bikes, touring bikes or cheap commuters. Now, there are so many genres of bike. Also, if your happy with a little less tech and more freedom of exhaust, older bikes, being higher build quality from those twenty years ago, offer great value.

I just thank the biking gods that I took my test in 1975 when the test involved the examiner (on foot) telling you to ride a route and he would pop up at various intermediate points to observe you. And no A1,A2 malarkey. I kept that CD175 for several years due to poor finances before getting anything bigger and appreciate the experience gained. Just got back into biking just before getting my pension and bought a Royal Enfield Interceptor 650 which is more than adequate for my needs and doesn't have too many doo-dads apart from the compulsory ABS which I appreciate. It's quite fast enough for me and isn't likely to lose me my licence.

So my route back into biking is a little bit different. Much like James I rode before I could drive, and did the CBT and test with 33bhp restriction back in the late 90s, rode for a few years, and then moved to a city where things stalled a bit. Somewhere in the prevailing 20 years the A category disappeared from my licence between renewals, something I've since learned is an infuriatingly all too familiar story, which meant that when I found myself very jaded and uninspired with the car world, at least at my end of the budget scale, I found that I had to start out all over again. So, at the ripe old age of 41 I bought a 125, did a CBT then theory and finally the MODs over a few weekends. What did I learn? Well the 125 was fun, got to thrash the pants off something, flat out everywhere with no risk of getting pulled! The requirement for minimum power was greater than any of the bikes I'd ridden as an A holder in the late 90s/early 00s, albeit one of them being a certain 80s Yamaha 350 two stroke! Being pragmatic, I have also convinced myself that having ro go through the process again certainly refreshed me on things that I'd forgotten, and that as always, rider/driver mods beat horsepower and sticky tyres every time. Mostly that as noted, the community is better than ever, and from ever more varied and diverse backgrounds. It's refreshing! You can also fit a lot more bikes into a double garage than you can cars... so that's nice.

Great content, keep it coming!

Good to see you also doing bike-related videos.

I ride what I drive, i.e. youngtimers. They are all dailies. No ABS, no traction control. Bikes (and 1 car) I can still maintain. Older bikes are relatively cheap to purchase and yes, you have to spend money on some corrective maintenance, yet they still remain relatively cheap. I also believe that, in today's traffic, around 100 BHP is sufficient. And noise should be all bikers enemy. There are forces in politics that would prefer motorbikes to disappear altogether. So we have to make sure we keep sort of under the radar. By the way, this is no different from 50 years ago, when I first started riding. 80% of all my travels are now on 2 wheels. Which does mean less CO2 and for me it means I get more experienced fast. With the exception of icey conditions I ride all year. Motorcycling gear has improved a lot. Staying dry and warm is not too difficult, albeit expensive.

Congrats to starting biking again.

Love it Jay, we really are a friendly and nice community, I don't have a bike currently but want another soon, it's been 9months since I've ridden now and I miss it dearly

couldn't find my original comment so I'll just add this; ProTint visors , another thing that has life easier. They're expensive but so worth it. Clear when it's dark, tinted when it's sunny. No more visor swapping for me.

My Goldwing has cruise, although it's approaching its quarter century. But way back in the Year Dot, BMWs had a tapped hole underneath the throttle for a thumbscrew which held the throttle open. This actually worked very well.

After 20 years away from bikes i decided in January to get another one, My dream bike was a Yamaha XJR1300 but thought that would be stupid after being away for so long. I walked into my local Kawasaki dealer to look around and drool over a Z900RS and saw a Yellow Ducati scrambler, nice miles, nice condition and thought how bad could an 800cc Ducati be. I paid for it, had it delivered 3 weeks later and the thing is a complete animal, and I love it. If I had gone for a test ride i would never have bought it as it was nothing i was looking for but I would have missed out on a proper jem. Great content mr Em 👍 on all your channels. If you would like a ride it will be here.

Biking has changed so much. I started in 2010 age 30 direct access and bought a Suzuki SV650S for my A - road commute. 75 HP no ABS or electronics. I upgraded to a new Triumph Street Triple 675R in 2016, it had ABS but no traction control and 106hp which was nice but not too extreme. I just bought a new 2022 BMW S1000RR and it is such a huge advance : TFT dash, rider modes, IMU, cornering ABS, traction control, cruise control, dynamic suspension, quickshifter up and down. Oh, and 207 HP! I love it, it's awesome. I'm sure I need the electronics to avoid killing myself. But I think things changed a lot even since 2016.

great video. im 58 and rode when i was 17. back in the early 80s. learner bikes then was a 250. two strokes ruled the power output. unfortunately never passed my test. became a dad a few later bike went car came. still lived bikes all those years. fast forward to a few years ago. ended up in hospital with a disease in my leg. all ok after a few weeks but left a scar on my leg. it was my wife who suggested i get a bike while i could still get a leg over one, so at 52 i did the direct access route. i was surprised like you at the hoops to go through. but passed. i got a Honda CBF600s that was great if a little heavy. it had nearly 80hp far more than i ever needed. i now have a Honda Rebel 500 and really enjoying riding it. i have been looking at the new BSA Goldstar though.

I'm still learnng so much about bikes, only 40 years and about 300 bikes under my belt so far. Off to pickup another this afternoon.

I got an aprilia sr50 at 16 and rode it everywhere, but once I turned 17 it was sold and forgotten about. Some 15 years later my dad got given an SR50 that was slightly newer than the 1 I had and gave it to me. I parked it in my garage as something I’d get around to 1 day. Covid came about and I was a little bit bored so i got it back on the road. Covid dragged on a little longer than expected and I got a little more bored so I built it into a full on race spec machine with 17bhp 😂 I then did my CBT and bought an RS125 to have a bit of fun on as my sr50 was a bit too unreliable. A few months on that and I got the itch for a big bike so did my direct access at the start of 2022 I then bought an Aprilia dorsoduro 750 which is basically the same bike as your shiver and rode that all last summer. Then spring this year I bought the bike I’d always had my eye on, a Tuono 1100v4 factory. I was going to get an older one but bit the bullet and bought 1 less than 12 months old for the warranty. People told me I’m stupid for getting such a big bike so soon, but the bike only does as you tell it to, and I think the rider aids actually make it safer than my Dorso. I’ve only managed to put 1k miles on it so far this ‘summer’ as the weather hasn’t allowed any more. Getting back on 2 wheels is the best decision I’ve made in a long time as if I’m not riding, I’m in the garage fixing/tinkering as you can imagine with 4 Aprilias there’s always something to do 😂

I've long advocated for a graduated license here in the US like they have in Britain. When the first engine in my first Hayabusa grenaded itself back in 09, i got a replacement from a bike with less than 500 miles on it. An 18 year old had bought it as his first bike at Thanksgiving 08 and had killed himself on by Christmas when he straightened out a sharp bend spright into an oak tree. One of many instances I've seen like that over the years, including my half decade or so as a dealer mechanic in the early 2000s.

Love the new biking series 🏍

Passed my direct access a month or so ago, and am currently looking to buy my first ‘big’ bike. There’s a lot of good machinery out there! Looking forward to more bike content from you 💪🏽

Haven't read all the comments so this may have been said before but Ryan at Fortnine is the gold standard of motorcycle RU-vid content. A few thoughts: modern rider aids make 200hp bikes rideable. Cruise is a must have for touring if you are prone to a numb right hand. The rise and rise of adventure bikes has completely changed the market. I can go three times as long and as far on my Tiger 800 than my beloved original Street Triple. But 80% of the time the Tiger is a better machine for me. Just like many cars it is all about useage. Finally you can get a lot of used bike for £5000. And when you come to sell it on depreciation will be negligible.

I'm 29 now - bit of a rarity in the fact that I got my bike licence when I was 17 in 2011 (33bhp A2), but I didn't get a car licence til I was 19. Started out on a CG125, had a GPZ500 at 33bhp, then a Fazer 600 (oddly the restrictors fell out of it 😉) then I went mad & bought a ZX9 to celebrate the end of my restriction 🤣 I've owned approx 35 bikes to date, but ridden countless others. I have an 890R currently, as it's fast enough for most rides, handles incredibly & is fun to ride at more *cough* sensible speeds, when compared to bonkers 1000cc+ bikes I've ridden. Genuinely, I'd say I've ridden somewhere around 250/300k miles in my time on 2 wheels. From the first time I revved my uncles Firestorm as a little kid I knew that 2 wheels were for me. I went pillion with him for years & couldn't wait to be legal with my own bike. Bikes are like marmite - you either love them or hate them...

That explanation of getting a bike license in the UK was exhausting. Where I am in 🇨🇦, a person can write their initial knowledge exam and immediately go out and buy a Hayabusa as their first bike. There are more hoops to jump through with the current graduated license system but there's no bureaucrat dictating what you're allowed to ride. Of course when I got my bike license in the very early 1990s, all that was required was the written test and then a parking lot skills test a minimum of 30 days (and a maximum of 365 days) later. Instant full license when you passed that.

Looking forward to part 2 ... I've had a 10-year break from biking, but am keen to get back on a bike and perhaps do some European touring... My first bike was a second-hand Yamaha FS1E (Fizzy) around 1979.... swiftly followed by an X7... I'm looking at the new Ducati Streetfighter V2.... and hoping my decrepit knees and broken back will be up to the challenge.

Great to see the next instalment of JayEmm on Bikes. The best way to get the missus to accept you riding bikes again is to get her into it also. Buy a cheap, easy to ride small bike - like a CMX300, take it to an empty parking lot or industrial estate and get her to try it out. At the very least, buy something that you can go two up on so she can get the feeling of riding.

Used to have Bell and Arai FF helmuts. Now I have an LS2 45 years later.😊

I haven't ridden since the late 80s but will soon be taking my test then getting a royal Enfield 350 so looking forward to being back on a bike

Africa twin 1100…. Lots of tech, sound superb in standard form and does multiple styles of riding well.

Great video mate , I'm glad you're into the bike thing there's nothing quite like riding a bike for me I own a Honda grom a triumph moto 2 and yesterday a aprilla tuono factory joined the family 😂! My missus thinks I've got a problem with 3 bikes she says you can only ride 1 at a time 😂 the car is transport the bikes are a passion for me . Ride safe people and remember everyone in their cars is either on the phone or hasn't a clue your on a bike 😊

My 1st big bike was an Aprilia Shiver. I really liked it and definitely underrated. Now on a Triumph Tiger Sport 1050.

i have gone basic. 2004 Triumph st sprint 955i. only rider aids are brakes and what is between your ears. love it. 118bhp more than enough for myself, enough torque to pull tree stumps out with.

Lovely bike the Aprilia Shiva. In some ways, the styling was a little brave - but now looks extremely current.

Thanks James, very enjoyable video. One thing: keep that location/background - it's very familiar and relatable!

Having been on bikes since the FS1E days and having never been without one, in 45 years of riding the other things that have improved are tyre technology, brakes (especially wet weather) and suspension. Rather than waffle on about why bikes are so good I'll come to the point. Get yourself a ride on any 1000 cc naked bike.......and then buy one , then next summer take a nice trip to Croatia and back like I did taking in France,Germany,Austria,Lichtenstein,Switzerland,Italy,Slovenia,Croatia and include Luxembourg and Belgium on the way back. Sweet memories. Makes all this 'I'm going to the Nurburgring Ring' malarkey look like a trip to the corner shop. Most of all enjoy.

Yes please , spot on , now you’re talking .like yourself I passed my test on a 125 at 17 . Went back to biking 10 years ago @42 . Wow they changed alot in the last 10 years . including me , a lot of biker do track days . Even on track I can only tap into full power for a 2-4 seconds b4 hard on the brakes and can use the same bike to go touring cruise control is very hardy especially on long m/way and average speed cameras.