I am sitting proudly on my dad’s motorcycle. Much to my mum’s displeasure, the Honda CX500 (better known as the ‘plastic maggot’) is parked in the living room. It is bright red and I, aged four, have fallen in love…
Fast-forward to the age of the provisional licence, and I am desperate to get one of my own. My parents make the sensible suggestion to get used to being on the road in a car first. I protest, but agree. Then studying, work and life in general take over as the next decade flies by. My 30th birthday looms on the horizon. What to get for myself to soften this blow? A motorcycle!
From baby steps to day rides
Several months passed between booking the CBT and my first bike finally arriving. My first ride on the Yamaha YS125 involved a visit to the nearest car park and numerous laps of the surrounding streets, averaging about 7mph (generous). On our attention, and proceeded with jangling nerves towards the main road. T-junction, hill start, a brief but exciting 40 zone, and then The Petrol Station. Achievement: full tank of petrol for £9. Areas for improvement: avoid splashing fuel over tank.
