A plea for your positive thoughts!

[Anonymous]

Jassy
I came to biking late in life and loved every minute of it. As it turns out, my lifestyle changed and I just had no time (or spare cash) to continue to run a bike. If I could, I'd jump back on one tomo. I completely understand yr reservations and I think all you can do is make sure he's as safe as he can be when out on his bike. So, I'd suggest getting him to go on a couple of specialist track days. I know that sounds nuts but you learn so much about how much better you can ride a bike quickly (but safely) in a controlled and safe environment. Worth looking out the ones run by the police or advanced rider groups. Some bike coppers were the quickest guys I ever rode with and they'll teach him what to to be aware of when 'making progress' on public roads. Worth avoiding the track days run by ex racers initially as they tend to be full of loons who are just happy to trash their pride and joys and risk some serious damage.

 

[Anonymous]

I hate bikes,either pushbikes or motor.Give me 4 wheels anyday.If its not motor bikes weaving up to the front of a q, its cyclists going through lights and cycling on pavements.I even read that they were considering a law that stated if a car and a cycle were involved in an accident that the driver would always be at fault!!!! ON YER BIKE....

 

[Anonymous]

I'm fast becoming anti cyclist even though I have loads of mates who ride em (some professionally) but Bristol 's Mayor is very pro cyclist and as a consequence, motorists are fast being considered second grade citizens! The next one that barges me off the pavement will definitely be getting a pole through his front wheel! [UNAMUSED FACE]

 

[the big blue]

Hi' jasso06 :greetings-wavingblue:
..Once the biking bug gets into the soul I am afraid it never fully goes and you only have to look to the Isle of Mann TT to see how apparent the 'legal high' of man & machine is !

I have two motorbikes and the sense of freedom that they provide is regrettably the same freedom that makes all riders vulnerable also. As for your son having a Ducati it won't be a 696 as that cc does not exist in their line up so it will most likely be the 996 (cc) ...beautifully looking bike BUT being Italian it will break down so at least you won't have to worry about him being out on it to much as it will be back in the dealers workshop being stripped down ..Happier Now? :thumbup:

.the big blue (...nice to see folk from the back benches & all other areas of the Chamber behind mrizzle and his friend)

 

[Anonymous]

Thanks BB he says it's restricted ie it's got a limiter on it's engine,yeah all Ducati bikes are stunning looking,l just hope he's responsible enough,but hey you can't live there lives for them...eh

 

[Anonymous]

I always had a bit of an interest in bikes when I was younger and gave serious consideration to doing my test. However, my mother assuring me that she'd repeatedly slash my tyres and my wife now asserts the same views. Might have to save it for my mid life crisis! :lol:

Just as with drivers, there are some very unsafe bikers out there but thankfully they appear in the minority. I think being a biker really does make you much more conscious of looking out for them. I try to make every effort to make sure that I am consciously looking out for them on the roads but it does get my back up when you see the idiot minority overtaking on blind bends and the such.

I really liked this video (which could apply to car drivers just as much as bikers) in which a guy has filmed his drive and reviews it honestly. It's really worth a watch!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?app=deskt ... xtv9qJ6Alk

The suggestion of the police sponsored or advanced rider groups seems like a very sensible one. I always think that I'd actually quite like to do something similar as a car driver. I like to think that I'm a pretty good driver (as we all do) but we are always learning and I'd quite like to participate in something like that. My brother, who has done his advanced police driver training, gave me some basic tips when I was learning to drive and they were just little tips that I have found very helpful. What can I say..?! I'm a geek and I love learning! :lol:

 

[the big blue]

Hi mrizzle' :greetings-wavingblue:
...watched your video link and it showed just how easy it is to make a split second wrong decision when on the roads, I say on the roads as in that instance the biker was not really riding stupidly and in fact the self same footage could have been obtained from a car but luckily the torque of the bike and size of it meant he was able to squeeze through on that occasion ,,and kick himself immediately after !!

I acquired a full moped licence at 16, 17 a full motorcycle licence followed by my car licence and around 8 years ago did my advanced driving through the police and continue learning to this day as well as making mis-judgements at times BUT with a lot less frequency than I did before the latter qualification I hope!

I get frustrated when I hear folk dis bikers and quote them as driving stupidly fast etc, in the same way I would not dis car drivers stating that they all hang out in car parks doing wheel spins and handbrake turns in-between making the ground shake with their massive subs. Im sure most of the Forum members don't do the latter DO THEY ?? :eusa-think:

.the big blue (..cars, bikes, motorbikes this back bencher loves & owns them all, anyone have a problem with that) :twisted:

 

[Anonymous]

Hi mrizzle' :greetings-wavingblue:
...watched your video link and it showed just how easy it is to make a split second wrong decision when on the roads, I say on the roads as in that instance the biker was not really riding stupidly and in fact the self same footage could have been obtained from a car but luckily the torque of the bike and size of it meant he was able to squeeze through on that occasion ,,and kick himself immediately after !!

I acquired a full moped licence at 16, 17 a full motorcycle licence followed by my car licence and around 8 years ago did my advanced driving through the police and continue learning to this day as well as making mis-judgements at times BUT with a lot less frequency than I did before the latter qualification I hope!

I get frustrated when I hear folk dis bikers and quote them as driving stupidly fast etc, in the same way I would not dis car drivers stating that they all hang out in car parks doing wheel spins and handbrake turns in-between making the ground shake with their massive subs. Im sure most of the Forum members don't do the latter DO THEY ?? :eusa-think:

.the big blue (..cars, bikes, motorbikes this back bencher loves & owns them all, anyone have a problem with that) :twisted:

Back Bencher??? more like a Hell Raiser or a Philo Beddoe antagonist...lol

its a Ducati Monster 696 "Restricted" BUT age has a lot to do with it, he's only 22 and there's a huge difference in risk mentality BB

 

[renegade79]

only seeing this thread now!

best wishes to your friend and speedy recovery and all that.... :greetings-wavingblue:

 

[the big blue]

Hi jassyo06 :greetings-wavingblue:

..at 22 I admit that I did consider 'myself' somewhat invincible too and that mindset is brought about by an attitude to risk taking like you stated!! ..AND I of course accept that even when you minimise ones own risks when on two wheels one remains vulnerable which is something all bikers are aware of AND maybe thats the innate buzz & attraction?! :eusa-think:

My sincere advice is that you encourage your son to undertake as much training as possible as although it may seem an uncool thing to do the knowledge that will be acquired by him will be invaluable and make him a far better rider and thus 'reduce' the chances of having an unfortunate incident.

All that aside ..I stand by my words that it being a stylish BUT unreliable Ducati rest assured the bike should spend a great deal of time in the workshop ,,hence the main risk being to your sons wallet and bank balance which i'm sure you will favour as a parent !!

.the big blue (..an exposed back bencher HELL RAISER ,,& don't be sending the whips to quiet the glorious sound of a my SCREAMING Motorcycle Engine, Myself or indeed Baroness Warsi :lol:


...AND, light heartedness aside this thread remains with the continued thoughts to mrizzle and his good friend! :wave: