Your video has caused me to think I really am an odd bod!! I've been riding since 1964 and even back in the days when my mates rode Tritons, Tribsa's and Bonnies with clip on's halfway down the front forks, I plodded about in my own little world. The nearest I ever got to owning a performance bike was a Laverda Jota 750 which by todays standards is probably considered a bit sedate. I like the freedom, the open views, even the smells of the countryside. I don't hang about, but speed and hairy bikes never was the attraction for me. Maybe that's why I'm still here and riding at 80 years + 🤣
It wasn't a bike that brought the knob head out of me, it was a Mazda MX-5. In many ways an almost perfect car but every now and then you push your luck with it and get bitten. I'll be honest, I miss that car so badly like an old girlfriend but it definitely encouraged me to be a wally several (hundred 🤭)times. With motorcycles I'm not ever going there because I'll end up dead. I just ride like I'm on my test all the time, honestly kinda scared of it. Cool vid very thought provoking. 👍😎😊
I have had mostly BMWs from the age of 21, R65RS, R1100RT x2, R1200RS x2 and my current R1250RS. All have been great fun in different ways and always put a smile on my face. The bike that put the hell yeah in my riding was my Triumph Thruxton 1200, it was a great bike and i would ride it all day as well as do track days on it. But with all of them i was always following my Advanced training, and because i knew when to give it some welly it made it more fun. Great video and always good to look at things in a different light
I’m noticing that I’m riding faster and much more briskly on my RT than I was on my previous bike which was GL but golden rule always applies!and SLAP 😁
Yeh I know what you’re saying. I’ve got my FJR for holidays and riding in bad weather but I’ve kept my XJF for going to bike meets and having fun. But I’m always airing on the side of caution. Great video.
As a 52 year old coming back into biking after being away for a dozen years, i find your advice to be the perfect reminder of everything i seem to have forgotten. No doubt you have saved many from disaster with your teachings, so thanks for that. Ps, like the guy below, and the fact you say you have rode one, i picked a Street Triple 675 which i think is an amazing bike and handles brilliantly and it does make you want to push on, shall we say. Of course im older and wiser enough to re-cap on stuff, cheers.
Always had bigger bikes, culminating in a Triumph 1200 Bobber... loved the sports and cruiser genres, relaxed riding deffo, but the weight and the lack of suspension travel were awful... my sportsbikes were a red rag to a bull and had me breaking every speed limit around, but the gradual shift to lower powered bikes coincided with a decline in mobility but a chance test ride on a Triumph Scrambler 400 meant a deal was done and I'm back loving my riding again... light weight, good suspension, a much lower top speed found me travelling much slower and enjoying the journey, instead of getting to the destination as fast as I can... more haste less speed I guess... the bike will bust the max speed limit and get you banned but the desire to teararse around has diminished and riding comfortably and safely is fun and lets be honest... we mainly ride for fun... So have fun... safely
Street Triple - it definitely pushes you, but equally I never have a problem slowing for a hazard because it's so much fun to get back up to speed afterwards.
All those points are right of course. I think the older I get and most especially after family came along, I have had a much stronger sense of self preservation. Know your limits and be big enough to acknowledge them. In my 43rd year of riding , I’m actually more happy with my riding now than I ever have been. I have a 30 year old ST1100, though you wouldn’t think it , which ticks all my boxes. I still have fun on it, but not in the same way as the Vmax I had some years ago. I perhaps had less cares in a sense and it definitely did bring out a different rider in me. Also, I’m afraid it did , on occasion ,bring out the ‘red mist’. Not good. But, I had that for 12 years and loved it. I’m not sure where I’m going with this now, but I think sportier, much faster, much more powerful, much more responsive bikes, will undoubtedly bring out a different side, potentially, in most of us. It’s having the maturity to recognise it and keep it under control which will decide whether it ends in tears or not.
great clip, I feel the same way recently sold a Yamaha FZ-1S after selling my beautiful Kawasaki W800, gaining the extra 100ish BHP, I did not enjoy riding that bike whatsoever and I did feel I would get in trouble or really hurt myself which made not really want to ride that bike and it kind or knocked my confidance abit, I decided to sell and now I am a proud owner of a new to me 2018 Suzuki GSX-S 750, I feel more relaxed and confident on this bike so yeah I do feel the style of bike affects how you ride IMHO.
May I ask something completely different? What kind of High-vis-jacket are you wearing in your videos? I tried to find something like that for years, but couldn't find it. The simple reason is, I´m using my scooter to commute to work even in the darker and colder times of the year, even in winter, because it's much easier to(and quicker!) as our bus system. And your jacket also seems to be quite waterproof, too. Thanks in advance for your help! I subscribed about a year ago... I always take something helpful away, even after riding scooters for 30 years by now... Greetings from Germany!
To me it all comes down to one thing. No matter what bike you ride and that is STATE OF MIND. You can get pleasure from any form of riding whatever your thing is. However if its wrong, illegal or dangerous then no matter what bike you are on, its still wrong. It could be a 50 cc moped or scooter or a massive custom cruiser. Yes different types of bikes do things differently. due to their manufacture. You are never likely to see a goldwinger belting down the street or filtering through busy traffic but can see a street bike or off roader that can turn on a dime and run in and out of traffic like riding round skittles. The thing is this and only this, its the most important thing and that is the riders STATE OF MIND. If you mindset is wrong it doesn't really matter what bike you ride, you will not only create a danger to yourself but a danger to all other road traffic.
The bike shouldn’t influence your riding. One should have a consistent and safe riding regardless. I am well in my 50’s and yet when I got my BMW R9T 2 years ago, I did have a few exciting moments, perhaps beyond what one should do. Fortunately that wore off and I am back on track. The bike shouldn’t but it does impact your riding. Best is to be selective where to have fun and not take silly risks. Thanks for sharing your view!
I’ve ridden all sorts of bikes and now have a Kawasaki 1400 GTR. Yes it’s a fast bike , I’m the chief observer for iam group and I get fun out of riding to a high standard. Safety always has to be there but as you said if it’s the right time and safe to give it a bit to the national speed limit that’s fine. I have found the 1400 GTR IS AMAZING at slow speed and everything. It’s just a good all rounder.
I have an R1200RT and a Harley Davidson FXDF. I definitely ride both bikes in a different manner. The RT manner is graceful and 'professional' whilst the Harley manner is certainly more assertive. Ill be more inclined to filter to the front of traffic, encouraging drivers to move over for me (blipping a loud exhaust) and I'm constantly looking for the overtake. Its a more visceral bike to ride and is physically more rewarding when accelerated hard. Its certainly not a fast bike but I probably ride it nearer to its potential than many sports bike riders do on their machines. Maybe that's where the fun is?
A refreshing & thought provoking video. I recall seeing the 3rd party comment re FUN that a viewer made at the time. Good to see you on the Z900 performance. Glad you have treated yourself 😎 I am a fan of the Ninja 1000SX (like you had) & recently took one out on a decent demo. You know my background & thst we share some similar views & attitudes. I continue to take a significant interest in responsible riding BUT riding enjoyment factors also. You may recall I ride a litre naked bike ( have had the CB1000R for 18 months). It does not disappoint when being ridden with enthusiasm. I value safe smooth progress but also enjoy pressing on, throwing the bike around a bit more (generallly smoothly)...embracing acceleration, cornering & braking forces.....when/where appropriate. I have experienced a number of different bikes....around 30 so far. I take bikes on demo's, ride others bikes & encourage appropriate others to try mine & others too. Machines ridden have been varied & include... a Grom 😅, a Ducati Streetfighter, BMW S1000R & bigger tourers including a Pan ST1300. Restraint is a key factor..... With greater performance capability & temptation it can sometimes be more challenging to dial in appropriate restraint. Regardless of the machine & my riding approach I still focus on basics...... Can I stop in time ? Is my license safe ? Am I safe enough ? Am I putting myself or others at unacceptable risk ? Am I riding like a T**T ? 😅 I appreciate the ideal of aspiring to always be eutopian as a road rider BUT it can be challenging to develop & have "appropriate" enjoyment when perhaps feeling somewhat constrained. I know a diverse range of bikers. Who we ride with can arguably have more impact, (than our machine). I work hard to remain my own rider & generally prefer to ride alone on more "performance focused" rides. I won't expand further as keen not to go way off topic For me .. Self discipline & Proactve Restraint have to factor BUT I accept that different machines can influence how I/we ride. Thanks....& enjoy having a bit more "FUN"....Ooh ...I said the F word.🤩😎😅
I was fortunate enough to learn on 250cc machines, and rode around on RD250 two strokes, that were a blast because they had exhilarating acceleration when you got them into their power bands. Fortunately they were small enough to not be dangerously fast, but I did progress onto a Suzuki Bandit 1200, that also had blistering acceleration when it came on song, but the difference was this happened at silly speeds, but boy could it put a huge stupid grin on your face. I miss the adrenaline rush of this bike, but I'm also glad that I got rid of it before losing any points on my licence, because the temptation was always there to go for it. I now ride a VFR1200 Cross-tourer, that is just as capable, but tends to be a lazy bike to ride for some reason (maybe it's just my age catching up with me). I could say the same about cars. I had a (BMW) Mini Cooper that I tended to drive quite spiritedly, because it was so much fun, but I also owned an SLK 3.5 at the same time that was far more capable, but I tended to cruise in it because there was nothing to prove by going fast.
Oh are you based in Kent (based on the mention of Ashford)? I didn't realise (I'm in Tunbridge Wells). I looked at your channel description a while ago and googled the name and couldn't find anything saying where you were based, back when I was looking at booking lessons for my DAS.
As a reborn rider. I bought my first bike knowing my personality. I intentionally chose a Triumph "Classic" Street Twin. I "knew" a naked bike would keep my speed down. I didn't want a "fast bike".It worked for me. Later, I bought a BMW R1200 GS Adv tourer. I find I have to be much more careful about my speed on the BMW. The Triumph felt much faster than it was. The BMW feels much slower than it is. The BMW is very comfortable going faster. In some ways the Triumph was more fun even though I was actually slower. I find I get tempted more on the BMW.
I think it's not so much the bike influencing how you ride, but rather your riding style influencing the bike you choose. For me, I ride nakeds mostly. Got a CB650R on the island, bought an ER6n to tour around Bulgaria in April. I'd say I ride precisely, within my abilities (and those of the machine), and with "fun" as a priority 3 goal (p1 is get home in the same condition I left or better, p2 is get home without any tickets). Many people misunderstand the "fun as a goal" bit, but really it's very simple: slip road pulls in second = fun; smashing head-first into the side of a lorry = not fun; dragging knee around some tight mountain bends = fun; tumbling down 1400m without your bike (which is embedded in the guard rail) = NOT fun; finding out exactly how hard your bike will try to rip your arms off = fun; speeding ticket, fine and driving ban = not fun; That there list goes on, but I think my point is clear - there's no reason not to have a bit of fun, as long as good judgement is exercised at all times. Same goes for road rage - why get mad at some tractor when actually that's the perfect opportunity to enjoy the hell out of my shiny new brake upgrades? Why do a silly and dangerous overtake now, when 800m down the road I get to see it's clear as clear gets and I've got the time to plan exactly how I'm going to rip right past said tractor? Also, you can still have fun whilst observing the golden rule (speed & vision) without fail - sure you can't see far into this corner, so you can't be going very fast while in it, but you sure can trail brake HARD on your way there (obviously barring surface hazards). You'd better believe I'm doing that all the way up & down that mountain road, but not with people behind me - they're not used to it and braking _that_ hard in front of anyone (especially in Bulgaria) is inviting trouble. Come to think of it, not a good idea even if there's oncoming traffic. The 650R can't tell the difference between "I'm LOVING this g-force" and "HOLY F--KING SH-T STOOOOOOOOOP!!!", the hazards come on either way. Again, other road users (many of whom have never been on a bike) won't give a toss that my forks are all the way down, but the hazards coming on for no apparent reason might upset their driving by causing them to look for a reason... just not a good idea... So you see, it _is_ possible to have fun on a bike without anything bad happening (i.e. without taking stupid risks), but you _need_ to develop both your skills *and* your judgement. The best part, of course, is that when sh!t gets dangerous (assuming you have the judgement to recognise said danger), the "fun" somehow evaporates on its own. And there was no other reason to do any of the above, so it's very easy to stop doing whatever it is that was fun but now isn't.
Passed my DAS 4.5 years ago aged 49, i have three bikes (been through quite a few though), a 95 Yamaha V Max (full power), a 2006 Gen 1 Hayabusa and a 2002 KTM 640 LC4 SM, as much as i absolutely love the Hayabusa i have the most fun on the Supermoto, only something like 47 bhp but sounds great, is very easy to ride, amazing brakes (Brembos, no ABS though), i find myself having to reign it in a bit sometimes, the high seat (36") and upright position mean visibility is really good though and i actually find it quite comfortable. Sadly the V Max has no been out at all this year but hope to get it out next year.
I think it does influence your riding to be honest. I've been riding for over 10 years, got the IAM qualification and currently own the Tracer 9 GT and Vespa 300 GTS for commuting. I find that I might be a bit more "brave" on my Vespa than my bigger bike. I have also considered getting the R1250RT and during the test ride, I found myself riding in a more "instructor-like" manner. Saying that, passing the advanced riding qualification made me much safer on the road :)
There is always a time and place. You can have a lot of fun without increasing your risk. Great points. I never ridden a BMW tourer as comfortable isn’t a thing I look for in a bike as I have a car for that
Very pleased to see you have upgraded to something that gives you a smile. I'm starting to get the same wish to change from a BMW 750GS to something like a 1290 KTM Duke or a BMW M1000R. From watching a lot of RU-vid reviews these bikes are extremely capable. I'll have to exercise a lot of restraint but they guarantee a smile!! I'll look forward to seeing what other bikes come up in the comments.
Absolutely i say the type of bike alters my riding .im 11stt and really would like a sensible bike like an RT.thoughts? To heavy for me? Currently riding suzuki gsxs 1000 2022 like it but...... 🤔
I actually once crashed my dad's vstrom 650 because I wasn't use to the wind protection. Went a little faster without realising, as I wasn't getting pelted by wind like usual, and entered a tight bend a little to quick.
Started on a Honda Cub 50, then a Yamaha RXS100 in the 90s. Took a break and went back to bikes in 2005: Fazer 600 then a CBR600F. Took another break until last year when I got a Hornet 750 which is great fun apart from the snatchy throttle.
I started riding again about 3 years ago, after a very, very long time of not riding motorbikes. Started with a ST1100. It suited me perfectly. I ride old bikes that I tend to swap every 4- 6 months. Depreciation is very low on these old bikes so I feel I can do that. I want to ride as much bikes as I can before I'm too old. And as I am 72 I do not have that much time left 🙂. I have at any given moment usually 3 bikes. I started this year with purchasing a CBR 600 F Sport. I believed that, at my age, I would now be wise enough to ride this wisely. Well, I was wrong. The nature of this bike brought out the boyracer in me. After 2 months and a lot of fun I decided to trade it in. I was either going to loose my license or my life... One bike has been with me almost all these 3 years: a VFR 750F of the 4th generation. I love that bike, it fits me like a glove. I just got myself a 'brick': a K1200GT. Sports tourers where the riding position is a bit bend forward seems to suit me best. But, yes my riding does change slightly depending on the type of bike I ride.
Loved the video, thank you. I am 63 and got my license 18 months ago, so still a beginner. I have my dream bike, a Bonneville T100, it is everything I have wanted for the past 40 years. My smile starts as I walk to the garage to release the bike. Being mature (!!), I have little interest in outright speed, although accelerating to the speed limit is fun. Every ride has two purposes, the first, to practice being a better rider, the second is having a good time. My wife has a Kawasaki Z650RS and that thing can get you to the speed limit faster than you can think (63, remember), fun though that is, the T100 is what gives me the most pleasure. I will try other bikes but I cannot see a time where my dream bike will change. The amazing thing as bikers, we are all different but somehow the same. Go to it, try, smile, laugh and enjoy every second on two wheels.
Congratulations on the new bike, never took one out, so will look forward to a review. Sports tourers and sport bikes have been my go to go bike but as i have got older my bikes have changed, Honda cb 1100 rs and honda rebel 500 are my current bikes. Enjoy the technical part of riding following ipsga, living in wales enjoy the many corners and bends. When the situation is right i do enjoy opening the bike up, torque rather than top speed. Enjoy going up the mountain roads, riding along the coast line etc. Having 2 types different bikes adds a different dimension for sure. Enjoy the new bike, cheers
I remember over 40 years ago when I first passed my test I bought a Kawasaki kh250 because that’s what my friend had and I had nothing but trouble with it but when it did go the road was my race track, the bike handled great but the rider was terrible and it didn’t take me long to come off. But what I found when I bought my Kawasaki Z1000st that I became a safer rider, I think I had grown up . Yes me and my motorcycle buddies of which there was about 30 of us we still rode fast partly because there was no speed cameras and not too many police cars or police motorcycles. But we never went mad , we tried to look after each other and we didn’t mind going slow if need be . But car drivers were not so bad as today and of course less of them . I was more interested in touring and because we had lost mates in crashes it made us think more. But yes we did go faster than you could get away with today. Now I’m retired, I have an Enfield Classic 350 and I don’t even want to go as fast as the speed limits. I like to go down little country roads, stop at little villages and find lovely cafes. That can sound all wishy washy but it’s the truth I don’t have to prove anything, I give my self time to enjoy the country side , stop and take photos, look through my binoculars and my bike sounds wonderful not loud but loud enough to hear a per per per as you ride along and the fuel economy is so good no wonder it sells so well in India. I haven’t run the bike in yet but once I have I intend to do big distances but gently, stopping off in bed and breakfasts, hotels or my tent. The gear today is so much better at keeping you warm and more protective. The gear I haven means I can ride though the winter and be comfortable. How ever once I’ve run it in I will be going on the police safety course .😊
Congratulations on your new bike , has the z1000sx ninja been traded in? I am on my first big bike (Triumph Trident) after passing my test last year at age 54 and it is great fun. I would say age , responsibilities and attitude are more of a factor in riding style than the bike itself.
Lovely bike, looks great fun! I dont have enough experience of motorbikes (only passed last year) to say if different bikes make me ride differently, but from many years, in many different cars, different cars definatly make me drive differently!
Good evening , just a quick note to say thanks for the videos. Passed my das on Friday I have watched all you're videos and they actually helped no end . Thank you
I'm an ex professional motorcycle stunt performer for public display and television and toured for 3 years straight. I was an absolute tear away on motorcycles (with no license riding on the roads) from an early age until i joined the stunt team. Performing all the time burned me out on bikes and after leaving i didn't ride a single motorcycle for a few years. I now ride a pan european 1100 😂 (with license) and i like the fact it doesn't beg me to to do anything but ride safe! I now have acquired a new enjoyment in motorcycling, that is to execute maneuvers with safety and precision and i do get a thrill when i achieve that even though that probably sounds very boring. I think riding safe takes a lot of the same qualities i have seen from all the performers i have worked with, the ability to follow instruction, consistency and a high level of skill.
Nope - my style changes on the location and my mental state (am I awake enough to be riding at pace), but I never take ‘risks’. It’s either on or it’s not, if there’s any doubt I don’t do it. Went from a 125cc for 6 months pootling around London, straight to a 1250cc sports bike with a 2.7 second 0-60. It’s all in how sensible you are with the right wrist. But I do have a theory that it is indeed an issue with the bikes people buy - and it’s in acceleration. My bike has that torque down low but tops out at 145mph. The build is instant and brutal, perfect for real world road use. But a S1000r for example, all the power is linear and uneventful at those speeds. You HAVE to push it to get that same feeling as it builds so slow, by which point, you’re riding too fast and the bike has encouraged it. Worse are bikes that handle badly at lower rpms… They’re for the track - they’re overkill for the road. You’d (ego aside) have a better time on a lower cc bike at that point. I also find there are three types of bikers 1) Those who are after the adrenaline dump of being scared, 2) Those who love the actual experience of riding, and don’t need to feel fear to have fun, 3) Show ponies, bikes ridden to the local biker cafe for the lifestyle and social aspect and pampered - riding is sedate.
I ride a 125 ktm duke yes I ride a bit like a hooligan sometimes not all the time but I have my moments, it also has a very obnoxious exhaust but I don't care what people think it's my bike. I do ride responsible. But you got to enjoy yourself. I like to think I do it in a safe manor not just for me but other road users. It is difficult,t to break the speed limit on a 125 though.
