What Would Tempt You Away From Riding - If Anything ?

[upsidedownmark]

McClure said:

I found flying incredibly dull, but then I don't have access to either a Spitfire or Harrier/Raptor. Maybe a helicopter would be more fun though.

Ti's an interesting angle - I think flying is rather different to how most folks perceive it; there are distinct parallels with bikes in a 'managing risk' and freedom sense, but in all honesty, it's not really an adrenaline sport, except when things start going wrong I'm not convinced a spitfire or mosquito (much as I'd love to get my paws on one) would significantly change that dynamic. Bang for Buck - the good old Pitts takes a lot of beating, about the only thing I'd bother owning in the southern half of the UK..

Tempt me off a bike? Teleportation! For me it is (was) mainly about getting from A to B with minimum hassle, and not sitting in queues all day. That said I do now have a silly sportsbike and love my trackdays. I think that angle could be replaced by the right car, in many ways they're more fun on track given you can take more liberties.

[caduceus]

After passing my test and having a 600 Ninja for a year, I debated whether to get a thou or another TVR. I settled for a Cerbera 4.5 and had it for 5 years (longest stint I've owned a fast car).

The Cerbera felt like the closest thing to a bike with 4 wheels for me, bang for buck. But as already mentioned, NO car will ever be as involving as a bike will. The two are just totally different experiences.

[JacquesMesrine]

Tons of stuff as interesting as bikes but almost all of it more inaccessible.

On bikes you can be doing it within half hour of thinking about it. This alone puts it miles ahead of most adrenalin / adventure sports and sex with the wife.

Fast cars are fairly rubbish in comparison unless it's a Caterham or similar when in fact they are completely rubbish but more entertaining.

[peteO]

plymouth superbird.
65 pontiac gto.
71 hemi cuda
70 dodge coronet superbee

[Dick Seaman]

upsidedownmark said:

Ti's an interesting angle - I think flying is rather different to how most folks perceive it; there are distinct parallels with bikes in a 'managing risk' and freedom sense, but in all honesty, it's not really an adrenaline sport, except when things start going wrong I'm not convinced a spitfire or mosquito (much as I'd love to get my paws on one) would significantly change that dynamic. Bang for Buck - the good old Pitts takes a lot of beating, about the only thing I'd bother owning in the southern half of the UK..

Tempt me off a bike? Teleportation! For me it is (was) mainly about getting from A to B with minimum hassle, and not sitting in queues all day. That said I do now have a silly sportsbike and love my trackdays. I think that angle could be replaced by the right car, in many ways they're more fun on track given you can take more liberties.

Interesting. I've always loved cars, first and foremost, but went on holiday to Cornwall aged 19 and fell in love with motorbikes (local lads lent me their keys). Bought a 125 a few months later (owned a Mini at the time) and loved it (for a couple of years) but never took my test. Then Uni, flat deposit, marriage, kids etc.

In amongst that lot, I had a flying lesson in a Cessna stunt plane, and, honestly, it was completely underwhelming. I've no doubt that other planes give a far more visceral experience, but I just felt so disconnected.

Anyway, to summarise, twenty years from my 125, I need another bike.

[MC Bodge]

Mountain biking on decent, technical, tight, steep, fast or exposed proper mountain trails is up there with motor biking for me (ie. not bumbling around a trail centre like many appear to do) -Pushing yourself mentally and physically, negotiating obstacles, jumping, finding traction, sliding about etc. if you are trying hard, there is a fair bit of crossover with motor biking skills. No speed cameras either.

Having said that, I've, sadly, never been on a motorbike on a track.

I used to love doing Mountaineering and winter climbing, which provided some my most intense (and frightening) experiences and often involved enthusiastic driving to get there too

From my dabblings, I suspect that I would really enjoy competitive Motor racing and rallying if I could do it frequently and afford it.

Ps.voluntary giving up biking and other hobbies for a woman?! Whatever next??

Edited by MC Bodge on Thursday 18th December 09:46

[HertsBiker]

The right car can be great. But no where near as good as a bike.

Got my bike back after some work. Was like getting the hot girlfriend back (the one who likes it up the arse) after the wife who settled down to vanilla sex.

[nightflight]

Flying a Spitfire. Nothing else. No car on the planet would do it.

[MC Bodge]

HertsBiker said:

The right car can be great. But no where near as good as a bike.

Got my bike back after some work. Was like getting the hot girlfriend back (the one who likes it up the arse) after the wife who settled down to vanilla sex.

What did the wife think?

[MC Bodge]

nightflight said:

Flying a Spitfire. Nothing else. No car on the planet would do it.

What about one of those flying cars?

[upsidedownmark]

Cr*p car, cr*p aeroplane..

[Martin A]

RemyMartin said:

Until you can make a car satisfy all the criteria listed then no car not even a P1 GTR

Until cars you perch yourself on without a belt
Will hit 100 in 4-5 seconds
Lean in bends
Will wheelie.
Can get away with wearing leather
Can fit down between cars and filter

Would a faster cornering four wheeler make up for no wheelies as long as it fitted all the other criteria?

[moanthebairns]

yup, id happily give you my bikes for this.

[George29]

An Aston V8 Vantage V600 LM has been my dream car for the past 15+ years. It would be the most likely thing to tempt me away, but I don't think even that could.

[Golgarth]

I would promise not to even look at a bike if I could have a Pagani Zonda Cinque:

I love my bike, but there is something that still gives me a kick when I get to drive something exceptional. I guess though for me it's because I know I'm better in a car than I am on a bike, yet. Maybe once I get to the point where I can ride as well as I can drive I will change my mind.

[Golgarth]

I would promise not to even look at a bike if I could have a Pagani Zonda Cinque:

I love my bike, but there is something that still gives me a kick when I get to drive something exceptional. I guess though for me it's because I know I'm better in a car than I am on a bike, yet. Maybe once I get to the point where I can ride as well as I can drive I will change my mind.

[gareth h]

I have often thought about this, I've been riding for 35 years, and would probably give them up if a mate (or me)had a serious accident, I've just bought a caterham and although it would never replace a bike it is remarkably similar in terms of the sensation of every input having an effect on what happens to the vehicle. Obviously you get stuck in traffic, but not too much if you choose the roads / time of day carefully.

[scunnylad]

gareth h said:

I have often thought about this, I've been riding for 35 years, and would probably give them up if a mate (or me)had a serious accident, I've just bought a caterham and although it would never replace a bike it is remarkably similar in terms of the sensation of every input having an effect on what happens to the vehicle. Obviously you get stuck in traffic, but not too much if you choose the roads / time of day carefully.

Bloody hell you have done well if you have ridden regularly for 35 years and never
had a mate or yourself have a serious accident or worse.
Certainly a lot luckier than myself

[gwm]

This has got to be about as close to bike thrills as you can get?

[StuB]

I-Jet 4 (can't be long till we have a sensible option) or a hi-spec turbo jet chopper, a Lynx would be pretty damn cool.