Bikes.

This morning at motorcycle shop for a new tire. We talk about bikes. We agree they’ve gone mad. Too over weight, over sized and over powerful to be enjoyable to ride. Given the restrictions of speed limits, roads and other road users and normal skill levels they’re useless but marketing has tricked bikers into imagery rather than reality. So what’s an ideal bike? Slim because it’s controllable, compact so it’s nimble, powerful enough to do a 100mph (around 50hp not 150), light so it’s easy to handle (150kg not 220), a robust simple motor you can rely on and that’s easy to work on so you can sort it if need be. I’ve motocrossed, trialed and done several 3,000 mile road trips all on suitable machinery quite unlike the monsters they’re selling today. Realistically adventure bikes need to do 40mph max off road and 100 on and around 150kg, i.e. a Jap 600 single. The Dakar, a 450. Touring bikes need 100mph and reliability, and all need easily available spares. And all need to be fun to ride. Track bikes OK need power but even then it’s about enjoying it and you can enjoy it on a sorted bike any size. Personally for me it’s a Yamaha SZR660 single. Had mine for 19 years and there’s still nothing better.