A mate of mine passed his bike test about 20 years ago, spent a couple of years occasionally wobbling about on an SV650 and then got it nicked. In a fit of understandable rage he vowed never to own a motorcycle again; their just too ?nickable? he said. But now his youngest has left for university, he?s started to make noises about buying another bike. In his heart, he wants a superbike, but his head doesn?t think it?s a very good idea. And unfortunately he?s getting very mixed advice from his circle of ?motorcycle mates?. Some are telling him he needs to get another 650 and work his way up to a ?big bike?. But others remind him that ?the throttle works both ways?, and he?d be fine on a 200bhp monster. And I don?t really know what to say to him.
He hasn?t mentioned anything to his wife yet, so we?ll call him ?John? to protect his identity. Now John was never particularly adept at motorcycle riding. In the two years he was a ?motorcyclist? he only really rode once or twice a month, and only ever in the summer months. I?ve no doubt that he?ll slide back into his motorcyclist?s boots as if he?s never been away from them. The problem is, his motorcyclist?s boots are the boots of a fairly inexperienced motorcyclist.

Stupidbike

He wants to own a superbike, and that?s absolutely fine. Nobody is telling him he can?t own one. John?s a wealthy man and money isn?t really much of an object for him, so he can certainly afford one. The more conservative members of his inn...