Motorbikes have seriously diminished my interest in Porsches
Discussion
I could have written that bikes have killed my interest in cars but my love of cars was quite closely bound up with my obsession with Porsche (probably more accurate to say 911 as 9 of the 10 Porsches I've owned have been 911s).
Got back into biking last year. Since then my interest in cars has plummeted. I had an amazing, early 911 but it wasn't getting driven as every time I had an opportunity for a drive or ride the car didn't get a look in.
I think the bikes have saved me from my growing disillusionment with modern cars. They are technically brilliant but for me they are just too big, too heavy and too synthetic. The old 911 was an attempt to get away from new cars. It worked but bikes go several steps further in "rawness". Just some of the advantages:
- overtaking so easy you don't get stuck behind cars (drivers are also generally okay about being overtaken by bikes but many can't stand being overtaken by another car)
- you can't relax on a bike - it is harder work but also more satisfying
- the acceleration is pretty special and it is quite different having to hang on (and keep the front wheel on the deck) than sitting in a car
- even though I've splashed out on three great bikes (two cult) the total outlay is still less than the 911. Insurance is also less for the three bikes together.
- yes some classic bikes are very expensive but most bikes that make bikers go weak at the knees are affordable (new Cayman money gets a massive amount of bike). Most exotic cars are at least 6 figures and sometimes 7.
- trackdays much cheaper
Of course there are some downsides - getting wet, having to wear protective gear, not being able to carry luggage easily, having to stop for fuel (my latest purchase has the fuel light come on after 60 miles!) and of course, when you crash there is much less protection. Still for me the advantages far outweigh the negatives.
Not sure when (if?) I will get my next Porsche. The 911s I would be interested in have all got too expensive.
Got back into biking last year. Since then my interest in cars has plummeted. I had an amazing, early 911 but it wasn't getting driven as every time I had an opportunity for a drive or ride the car didn't get a look in.
I think the bikes have saved me from my growing disillusionment with modern cars. They are technically brilliant but for me they are just too big, too heavy and too synthetic. The old 911 was an attempt to get away from new cars. It worked but bikes go several steps further in "rawness". Just some of the advantages:
- overtaking so easy you don't get stuck behind cars (drivers are also generally okay about being overtaken by bikes but many can't stand being overtaken by another car)
- you can't relax on a bike - it is harder work but also more satisfying
- the acceleration is pretty special and it is quite different having to hang on (and keep the front wheel on the deck) than sitting in a car
- even though I've splashed out on three great bikes (two cult) the total outlay is still less than the 911. Insurance is also less for the three bikes together.
- yes some classic bikes are very expensive but most bikes that make bikers go weak at the knees are affordable (new Cayman money gets a massive amount of bike). Most exotic cars are at least 6 figures and sometimes 7.
- trackdays much cheaper
Of course there are some downsides - getting wet, having to wear protective gear, not being able to carry luggage easily, having to stop for fuel (my latest purchase has the fuel light come on after 60 miles!) and of course, when you crash there is much less protection. Still for me the advantages far outweigh the negatives.
Not sure when (if?) I will get my next Porsche. The 911s I would be interested in have all got too expensive.
Mine has went the opposite way...I've had bikes for over thirty years and loved everything about them until I bought a Porsche five years ago and this year for the first time I couldn't be bothered with the bike its sat in the garage since it was MOT'd in April...I can't bring myself to sell it though.
All I've wanted to do this year is drive my Cayman its great I love it.
All I've wanted to do this year is drive my Cayman its great I love it.
To hot in summer as you wear the leathers
To cold in winter and no fun
Oil on the road
High death rate.
Most people break bones at some point.
As with every thing you get used to the speed and want a faster one.
New breed of bikers are nutters doing crazy speeds.
Had 3 bikes, lucky to be alive , would not go back with today's bad drivers and busy roads.
To cold in winter and no fun
Oil on the road
High death rate.
Most people break bones at some point.
As with every thing you get used to the speed and want a faster one.
New breed of bikers are nutters doing crazy speeds.
Had 3 bikes, lucky to be alive , would not go back with today's bad drivers and busy roads.
Unbusy said:
The answer is both! Car and bike.
No point being a hero in the winter months on two wheels.
Trouble is I can get 3 bikes plus my daily driver in my garage or I could get the daily driver and zero fun cars. Just no space at the moment. Plus cars that still interest me eg Caterham, a classic or another early or special 911 not ones I would want to drive over the winter eitherNo point being a hero in the winter months on two wheels.
Porsche911R said:
To hot in summer as you wear the leathers
To cold in winter and no fun
Oil on the road
High death rate.
Most people break bones at some point.
As with every thing you get used to the speed and want a faster one.
New breed of bikers are nutters doing crazy speeds.
Had 3 bikes, lucky to be alive , would not go back with today's bad drivers and busy roads.
I went for a ride this weekend and it was one the most enjoyable of the year. It was cold but I wrapped up. Took the corners a bit slower. Was on the look out for leaves or other crap on the roads. When the weather is bad I don't go out in the car either.To cold in winter and no fun
Oil on the road
High death rate.
Most people break bones at some point.
As with every thing you get used to the speed and want a faster one.
New breed of bikers are nutters doing crazy speeds.
Had 3 bikes, lucky to be alive , would not go back with today's bad drivers and busy roads.
I believe you are about 30 times more likely to die on a bike than in a car. However 30 times a small probability is still a small probability. I don't have statistics for broken bones (personally I have but I have biking friends that haven't).
How fast I drive or ride from A to B is much more dependent upon what I can see ahead, road conditions, hidden hazards, a strong desire not to lose my licence and having a healthy margin for a error. I'm only quicker on a bike because it is easier to overtake (safely). The same speed on a bike feels a lot more enjoyable as you are exposed to the elements and you have to be paying attention all the time as road surface variable.
Unbusy said:
The answer is both! Car and bike.
No point being a hero in the winter months on two wheels.
Agree ! To be honest though I haven't used the bike as much as I would have liked this year . Maybe 4 or 5 runs max . It's been hard to pull the Porsche out to get the bike , without just using the Porsche ...No point being a hero in the winter months on two wheels.
Esceptico said:
Desmosedici
Nice!For me a bike is infinitely more fun, but with age and kids I've got so conscious about risks I don't enjoy riding on the road anymore.
I've got a 748 SPS and a and Honda RS250 GP bike sitting unused in the garage, one day I'll take them out. But on a track day for sure.
My GT2 is the only thing I've driven that comes close to bike-level of keeping you on your toes. I was out in the rain yesterday, loads of fun!
As has been pointed out, all very well and good, but i would never trust myself on a bike! If you make a mistake it could be your last.
I've never quite 'got' bikes as even when i was a 17 year old in a 1.2 Clio i'd have bikers holding me up on my favourite roads. They do look and sound great though, so i am quite happy to admire from afar or sit on the sofa with Moto GP on!
I've never quite 'got' bikes as even when i was a 17 year old in a 1.2 Clio i'd have bikers holding me up on my favourite roads. They do look and sound great though, so i am quite happy to admire from afar or sit on the sofa with Moto GP on!
fredt said:
hondansx said:
I've never quite 'got' bikes as even when i was a 17 year old in a 1.2 Clio i'd have bikers holding me up on my favourite roads.
No you didn't, you had fellow road users holding you up when out on a hoon. If you were on a bike you wouldn't have been held up!
I love bikes always have, did sports bikes for a few years and Harley Davidson thing for a couple, had a few near misses but laughed them off. However the reality is they're very dangerous and I think it was quoted to me that on average a biker will come off his/her bike once every two years and the consequence of that was usually more than a grazed knee.
Dress it up how you like but we all know that the problem is other road users! Ask the bloke down the bike dealership with the limp , he'll put you right!
Dress it up how you like but we all know that the problem is other road users! Ask the bloke down the bike dealership with the limp , he'll put you right!
Esceptico said:
fredt said:
hondansx said:
I've never quite 'got' bikes as even when i was a 17 year old in a 1.2 Clio i'd have bikers holding me up on my favourite roads.
No you didn't, you had fellow road users holding you up when out on a hoon. If you were on a bike you wouldn't have been held up!
I used to plan a route, and get up early on a weekend to complete it my 7am. In fact, it's my research that first brought me to PH. So yes, i drove fast, but tried to mitigate the risks.
The reality is the fun is where the limit it - i'm still no angel at 31. It's the main reason why i wouldn't get on a bike.
Esceptico said:
tuffer said:
60 mile range, what is it?
Desmosedici However, the long spell I had away from cars made me really miss them especially when a kind mate lent me his R8 for a week. Now realise I missed the car thing and as mentioned above the best strategy is to have (if you can) both.
I think we are in a golden era of car production and you'd be made to turn your back on some of the cool options that are out there.
Slickhillsy said:
Greetings fellow Desmo rider... I was in exactly your camp a while back, fell out of love with cars and absolutely hooked by bikes. Now a massive track addict as the roads are pants and even done a few races.
However, the long spell I had away from cars made me really miss them especially when a kind mate lent me his R8 for a week. Now realise I missed the car thing and as mentioned above the best strategy is to have (if you can) both. I think we are in a golden era of car production and you'd be made to turn your back on some of the cool options that are out there.
Agree that a Scud and Desmo would be a nice combination! However, the long spell I had away from cars made me really miss them especially when a kind mate lent me his R8 for a week. Now realise I missed the car thing and as mentioned above the best strategy is to have (if you can) both.
I think we are in a golden era of car production and you'd be made to turn your back on some of the cool options that are out there.hondansx said:
I've never quite 'got' bikes as even when i was a 17 year old in a 1.2 Clio i'd have bikers holding me up on my favourite roads. They do look and sound great though, so i am quite happy to admire from afar or sit on the sofa with Moto GP on!
SUUUUUUURRRREEEEEEEEEEEE you did!On sports bikes? No chance!
Sounds like they were sticking to the posted speed limits and you were driving like a knob.
castroses said:
SUUUUUUURRRREEEEEEEEEEEE you did!
On sports bikes? No chance!
Sounds like they were sticking to the posted speed limits and you were driving like a knob.
I think we already cleared this up. He was 17, obviously he drove like a nob! Everyone I knew at that age that were interest in motorized transport drove like knobs.On sports bikes? No chance!
Sounds like they were sticking to the posted speed limits and you were driving like a knob.
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