Why don't more performance car enthusiasts ride motorbikes?
Discussion
I had two bikes when I was living in the UK, a Suzuki GSXR600 L1 and a Ducati Monster 1100 Evo.
Enjoyed them both and wish I hadn't sold the Suzuki now and brought it here to Portugal with me. The reason I stopped riding in the UK was weather-related, I just couldn't bring myself to enjoy dressing up in leather body armour and riding in the dank conditions that prevailed for most of the year.
My first bike, a Yamaha RZ350R, I owned when I was a teenager. I had immense fun on that - nothing more than a leather jacket for fast rides but only a t-shirt and shorts for pootling around my home-town in Durban, South Africa. No hassle, hop on, hop off.
The appeal of riding in the UK quickly wore off for me but now here in a predominantly sunny clime, I am going to get another bike at some stage. I'll not be wearing my leathers though, I'll simply be hopping on the bike and going for a scenic cruise. No high speed, just the thrill of the open air, much like driving a convertible car. No different in terms of risk to racing downhill at 50-60mph+ on my bicycle wearing only lycra!
Obviously, if I fancied a blast, then the leathers etc would be required but the idea of being able to hop on and hop off a bike with no hassle just for local trips appeals greatly again and will see me riding more.
Enjoyed them both and wish I hadn't sold the Suzuki now and brought it here to Portugal with me. The reason I stopped riding in the UK was weather-related, I just couldn't bring myself to enjoy dressing up in leather body armour and riding in the dank conditions that prevailed for most of the year.
My first bike, a Yamaha RZ350R, I owned when I was a teenager. I had immense fun on that - nothing more than a leather jacket for fast rides but only a t-shirt and shorts for pootling around my home-town in Durban, South Africa. No hassle, hop on, hop off.
The appeal of riding in the UK quickly wore off for me but now here in a predominantly sunny clime, I am going to get another bike at some stage. I'll not be wearing my leathers though, I'll simply be hopping on the bike and going for a scenic cruise. No high speed, just the thrill of the open air, much like driving a convertible car. No different in terms of risk to racing downhill at 50-60mph+ on my bicycle wearing only lycra!
Obviously, if I fancied a blast, then the leathers etc would be required but the idea of being able to hop on and hop off a bike with no hassle just for local trips appeals greatly again and will see me riding more.
Mr R said:
Interesting topic.
In my opinion they are too impractical to use as a regular mode of transport and too indulgent as something fun to play with on the weekend.
Fortunately, that's only your opinion - as it makes absolutely zero sense.In my opinion they are too impractical to use as a regular mode of transport and too indulgent as something fun to play with on the weekend.
How can something be TOO indulgent for the weekend play thing!?
Surely that's the whole point...?
Mr R said:
Interesting topic.
In my opinion they are too impractical to use as a regular mode of transport
I find bikes extremely practical for my regular mode of transport. I can get to and from work on time, regardless of traffic and not by speeding or riding like a tIn my opinion they are too impractical to use as a regular mode of transport
t either. Especially handy on Friday afternoons or Bank holidays or during other gridlock scenarios. I can always find a parking space, usually in the greedy gap people leave when they park that's nearly but not quite big enough to fit any car in. Obviously if I'm carrying stuff or it's wet, cold or dark I usually take the car, but Its nice to have the option.
Mr R said:
Interesting topic.
Since a young age watching the old 500 MotoGP class with the likes of Doohan, Kenny Jnr, Criville, Gibernau and a young Rossi I have always loved bikes.
Going to see the World Superbikes in its glory years with Neil Hodgson winning at a packed out Brands Hatch was a particular highlight, and the longing for a Ducati 996 has never really gone away. When I first saw a Paningale Tricolore I thought it was one of the most amazing looking machines in the world.
However, I have never even so much as considered actually buying a bike or learning to ride. The main reason for me is that they are too much of a compromise for my lifestyle. In my opinion they are too impractical to use as a regular mode of transport and too indulgent as something fun to play with on the weekend.
The beauty of the performance car is that you; can do your commute, weekly shop, visit friends/family with your partner/wife, go on road trips or touring holidays, stop off for lunch somewhere quickly and comfortably, all with such ease that a bike just seems like hassle. That's before you have to think about the additional costs of servicing, maintaining and insuring a second vehicle and more importantly storing one which is no easy feat when you live in a flat with no garage.
I am sure that the feeling of riding a bike at speed down a nice road is enthralling but I get my weekend kicks from racing 2 stroke karts and for me that experience can never be replicated on public roads. Battling for positions within a pack of 30 karts, matched by drivers within a few tenths of a second, inches from the ground is something I wouldn't want to give up. And once again the beauty of the car is that I can enjoy driving to the various circuits whilst carrying all of my race gear and accompanying luggage so it becomes the best of both worlds.
I have huge respect for bikers and enjoy seeing them out on the roads but ultimately I still have no real desire to find out for myself what it is like.
Whilst I get what you're saying in that it's easier to have a car it's not always the case.Since a young age watching the old 500 MotoGP class with the likes of Doohan, Kenny Jnr, Criville, Gibernau and a young Rossi I have always loved bikes.
Going to see the World Superbikes in its glory years with Neil Hodgson winning at a packed out Brands Hatch was a particular highlight, and the longing for a Ducati 996 has never really gone away. When I first saw a Paningale Tricolore I thought it was one of the most amazing looking machines in the world.
However, I have never even so much as considered actually buying a bike or learning to ride. The main reason for me is that they are too much of a compromise for my lifestyle. In my opinion they are too impractical to use as a regular mode of transport and too indulgent as something fun to play with on the weekend.
The beauty of the performance car is that you; can do your commute, weekly shop, visit friends/family with your partner/wife, go on road trips or touring holidays, stop off for lunch somewhere quickly and comfortably, all with such ease that a bike just seems like hassle. That's before you have to think about the additional costs of servicing, maintaining and insuring a second vehicle and more importantly storing one which is no easy feat when you live in a flat with no garage.
I am sure that the feeling of riding a bike at speed down a nice road is enthralling but I get my weekend kicks from racing 2 stroke karts and for me that experience can never be replicated on public roads. Battling for positions within a pack of 30 karts, matched by drivers within a few tenths of a second, inches from the ground is something I wouldn't want to give up. And once again the beauty of the car is that I can enjoy driving to the various circuits whilst carrying all of my race gear and accompanying luggage so it becomes the best of both worlds.
I have huge respect for bikers and enjoy seeing them out on the roads but ultimately I still have no real desire to find out for myself what it is like.
I used to only have a bike for a few years (I put 65k on my ZX9R) shopping was an easy one, I just had it delivered & for a quick shop the tank bag & backpack were more than adequate touring is easy on a bike.
Just so you know you don't have to wear leathers everytime you're on a bike kevlar jeans & a jacket, as for commuting well the bike wins every time my commute from near Brands to Smithfield takes on average as near as damn it 2 hours (& if Blackwall tunnel is in anyway messed up add another 30 minutes) in the car on the bike it's 45 minutes plus 5 minutes to get changed & I'd much rather stay in bed an extra hour/still get home earlier after going to the gym.
Whilst it's not for everyone having only a motorbike isn't as big a deal as you may believe.
Gavia said:
I’ve just returned from the NW200 where racebikes with their very loud race exhausts were bombing down the straights. You see them going past you long before you hear them.
I agree that loud pipes don’t save lives, they just make a lot of unnecessary noise.
I don't agree an exhaust note can save lives it doesn't have to be overly loud but an exhaust note helps. Now if you're talking about the Arrow straight through we use on the roads, it's about getting the gasses out which is why the BSB Spec Tyco bikes were quieter & the privateers running the 12.6-8 engines run the quieter pipes.I agree that loud pipes don’t save lives, they just make a lot of unnecessary noise.
ZX10R NIN said:
Whilst I get what you're saying in that it's easier to have a car it's not always the case.
I used to only have a bike for a few years (I put 65k on my ZX9R) shopping was an easy one, I just had it delivered & for a quick shop the tank bag & backpack were more than adequate touring is easy on a bike.
Just so you know you don't have to wear leathers everytime you're on a bike kevlar jeans & a jacket, as for commuting well the bike wins every time my commute from near Brands to Smithfield takes on average as near as damn it 2 hours (& if Blackwall tunnel is in anyway messed up add another 30 minutes) in the car on the bike it's 45 minutes plus 5 minutes to get changed & I'd much rather stay in bed an extra hour/still get home earlier after going to the gym.
Whilst it's not for everyone having only a motorbike isn't as big a deal as you may believe.
I didn't get a car until I was nearly thirty, just borrowed or hired one when needed, a bike was my main transport.I used to only have a bike for a few years (I put 65k on my ZX9R) shopping was an easy one, I just had it delivered & for a quick shop the tank bag & backpack were more than adequate touring is easy on a bike.
Just so you know you don't have to wear leathers everytime you're on a bike kevlar jeans & a jacket, as for commuting well the bike wins every time my commute from near Brands to Smithfield takes on average as near as damn it 2 hours (& if Blackwall tunnel is in anyway messed up add another 30 minutes) in the car on the bike it's 45 minutes plus 5 minutes to get changed & I'd much rather stay in bed an extra hour/still get home earlier after going to the gym.
Whilst it's not for everyone having only a motorbike isn't as big a deal as you may believe.
If you live somewhere in London where public transport is good (relatively) and driving/parking is bad then a bike makes a lot of sense as personal transport and weekend fun.
Nowadays I'm married and have a dog so even two seater cars are relegated to fun drives, trying to do the man maths to make an Evora or 911 a sensible choice.
SidewaysSi said:
Motorcyclists often use inappropriate speed. Leading to death/loss of limbs etc.
Not for me.
That makes no sense as an excuse not to ride; speed is entirely under the riders control. No one is forced ride a bike or drive a car like an idiot, it's a choice. If you are unable to control yourself then you shouldn't be controlling any vehicle.Not for me.
An actual risk is that of car drivers frequently not bothering to make observations, and as a biker you have to mitigate that as best you can.
thecremeegg said:
Speed is a definitive reason to ride a bike let's be honest!
I suspect this is a common misapprehension from people that have never ridden bikes.Edited by Mr2Mike on Tuesday 22 May 15:27
Having a bike is a reason not to do shopping. We have all our shopping delivered, nothing is a bigger waste of life than trundling round a supermarket on a weekend. When I had my RX-8, the last words I wanted to hear before heading out was "here's a list, can you pop into so and so on your way back". Going with a car is just a big pain, with a bike, you are immune from mundane requests.
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