Chris Harris on his new 1299S Pani
Discussion
https://grrc.goodwood.com/road/drives-and-rides/ch...
Interesting that he got one less than a year after passing his test. I haven't ridden the 1299 or the 1199 but in his position and possibly even mine now, I'd have gone for the 899 but his money, etc.
I for one think its great. If more supercar owners got into bikes even just to ride their 1199 Superleggera, or even 1299S or MV Agusta F4RR through Knightsbridge and then home again, there'd be a bit less antipathy and perhaps even hatred for bikes.
Interesting that he got one less than a year after passing his test. I haven't ridden the 1299 or the 1199 but in his position and possibly even mine now, I'd have gone for the 899 but his money, etc.
I for one think its great. If more supercar owners got into bikes even just to ride their 1199 Superleggera, or even 1299S or MV Agusta F4RR through Knightsbridge and then home again, there'd be a bit less antipathy and perhaps even hatred for bikes.
Mastodon2 said:
But the point of the article is that they're not scary to ride though..
Fair enough but I somehow doubt that Chris has given it the berries the way an experienced rider would be able to. I don't think its possible to make something which has 2 wheels and a better power to weight ratio than all but the fastest Koenigsegg, not scary to ride at all [by comparison w/ the car world that is]Kawasicki said:
it's got full abs, traction & wheelie control...what is left to be scared of.
Are there any vehicles, 2-wheeled or 4, sold in 2015 that are scary by your definition then? On the BMW S1000RR I test-rode that had all the electronics on, it still lifted the wheel (okay a bit) when given the berries, to a lot of riders that would be scary
bogie said:
So what about the Princes Harry and William? they both ride Ducatis, anyone reckon they secretly attend trackdays? or are they happy sampling their superbike performance in the 30mph zones of London, whilst special branch follow discreetly behind on a beemer 
Fair enough but they've been riding for a very long time even if (and they may have) they haven't been on track. IIRC, both of them started monkeying around on dirtbikes before they had their road licenses. I think someone on BB might even have purchased Prince Harry's first roadbike: a Daytona 675. Anyway, if they haven't been on track ever they're not much different to the average R1/CBR/GSXR/S1000RR/ZX10R/1299 rider who's never been or rarely gets out on track anywayWhereas Harris did the equivalent of my 35yr old friend who's never driven a car before buying a 997GT2 as his first, and then an Ariel Atom as his second, a year later. Certainly cool in a way I suppose, but perhaps not the easiest learning curve.
Was the Monster a marketing exercise then (not having a go at you mate, just genuinely curious what you think)?
I personally think it was from the same love for bikes that all of us have, though getting the 1200 seemed more willy-waving than anything else. But perhaps it would be willy waving to get a 1200 Monster even for a rider with 10 years experience who never goes on track or gives it the berries, I don't know.
Sent the article to my cousin, a PHer with a Ferrari 360 that's never ridden a bike, but recently became a MotoGP fan. His reply:
"That's actually a really interesting article! I don't think Chris Harris ever rides/drives anything for the pose, he's probably riding that thing quicker than I'd ever dare to but his reasons for wanting it are completely justified. It was nothing to do with whatever anyone else though, he just really wanted one and bought one. And that in my book is absolutely fine!
He has respect for the machine so I don't think he had to necessarily buy anything slower, as he points out himself he claims the 1299 is easier to ride than the monster. And I'm still not so sure that he doesn't have the skills to have a good go on that machine, and he'll damn well try I'm sure!"
While I agree with Reardy Mister that biking isn't mystic wizardry, my cousin's reply is typical of those who have never ridden a bike in that it vastly underestimates how difficult it can be to ride a motorcycle fast, smoothly and safely. There's a reason why people successful racing both 2 and 4 wheels always go from 2->4. There might not ever be another John Surtees but if there is it'll damn sure be someone who wins MotoGP first and then F1 and not the other way round. I know that example is about racing and not road riding, but I think it still holds up to an extent.
Anyway, whatever bike Harris buys next he'll never be as cool as her - nor will any of us here [image might be photo-shopped - dont know and I dont care]
I personally think it was from the same love for bikes that all of us have, though getting the 1200 seemed more willy-waving than anything else. But perhaps it would be willy waving to get a 1200 Monster even for a rider with 10 years experience who never goes on track or gives it the berries, I don't know.
Sent the article to my cousin, a PHer with a Ferrari 360 that's never ridden a bike, but recently became a MotoGP fan. His reply:
"That's actually a really interesting article! I don't think Chris Harris ever rides/drives anything for the pose, he's probably riding that thing quicker than I'd ever dare to but his reasons for wanting it are completely justified. It was nothing to do with whatever anyone else though, he just really wanted one and bought one. And that in my book is absolutely fine!
He has respect for the machine so I don't think he had to necessarily buy anything slower, as he points out himself he claims the 1299 is easier to ride than the monster. And I'm still not so sure that he doesn't have the skills to have a good go on that machine, and he'll damn well try I'm sure!"
While I agree with Reardy Mister that biking isn't mystic wizardry, my cousin's reply is typical of those who have never ridden a bike in that it vastly underestimates how difficult it can be to ride a motorcycle fast, smoothly and safely. There's a reason why people successful racing both 2 and 4 wheels always go from 2->4. There might not ever be another John Surtees but if there is it'll damn sure be someone who wins MotoGP first and then F1 and not the other way round. I know that example is about racing and not road riding, but I think it still holds up to an extent.
Anyway, whatever bike Harris buys next he'll never be as cool as her - nor will any of us here [image might be photo-shopped - dont know and I dont care]
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