Motorcycle possibilities

[MnM]

I'm not in any rush but i was wondering if there were any Motorcycle owners / enthusiasts among us.

Since passing my basic driving test in UK in 1987 and being an advanced driver for the last 9 years, i thought the time had come to try my hand at a Motorcycle. I'd always said i would after i watched Steve McQueen in The Great Escape many years ago and i'm not getting any younger. I did an assessment a few months back and was all set to do the course and test, but then had to buy new wheels and tyres for Mandy's Suzuki Jimny so I've decided to forfeit for now - plus the training centre isn't open at the moment anyway.

If i do get one, I wont be ragging it around weaving in and out of traffic at 100mph, overtaking on the inside or becoming an organ donor like many I've seen and a few that i have known, hence I'm particularly after something classic, or at least classic looking, preferably British, for fair-weather enjoyable riding. I know absolutely nothing about Motorcycles but I've learned of a few potential models simply by watching Henry Cole and Sam Lovegrove in Shed & Buried and The Motorbike Show.

I've been looking on Autotrader at a Royal Enfield Bullet (1955), BSA Gold Flash (1960) and a Royal Enfield Stealth Bullet (2020). I'm also looking at some sort of Triumph, perhaps a Bonneville, but i need to look more at the various models.

Any thoughts, advice, stories and memories would be appreciated.

[13roman58]

In my experience, the motorbike rider always comes off worst in an accident .

[Chriswright03]

Some years ago I was a rider instructor back in the UK. My experience is pretty much the same as the comment above hence the reason for proper training and an attitude that you seem to have adopted all ready. Motorcycling can be a lot of fun as long as you ride with commons sense and self preservation in mind. The throttle goes two ways.

There is a local Facebook group here for Ex Pats if you look it up. Many on there will offer good advice without prejudiced opinions.

[johnerebus]

Before peeps scream and shout, "But it's dangerous"! Yes it is. That's part of the fun of riding a motorcycle. Rock climbing is dangerous, paragliding is along with skydiving, bungee jumping etc. Which is partly why peeps do these things.

[Cally]

Not sure whether you are E or W but there is a very big motorcycle shop in Karakum, opposite Alesta so would imagine there is a following of some sort there.

[waddo]

No prejudiced opinions from me sir! Motorcycling is as safe as the driver, having ridden a multitude of different bikes from age of 13 up to 2002, in all sorts of terrain and different countries - even survived three years out here on my trusty Yam YDS3, with only two accidents - I can say that you need to have eyes not only in the back of your head, but more importantly, in the sides as well as the front! Plan to ride safely then just do it and you will enjoy the whole thing I am sure. I only wish I had the nerves to go back to it but that is not to be I am afraid, in fact I am very afraid and so I don't ride anymore but it has not taken away my love of motorcycles!

As you drive a car out here there is little to tell you about the local driving conditions apart from these two small things - Please stay off the roads immediately after the first rains of winter and remember at all times that there is no such thing as "camber" built into 98% of the roads here. So the thrill of "getting your knew down" and you will want to (Oh yes you will!) should always be tried provided you remember how slippery sand is on the road and that how easy it is to slide into oncoming traffic because gravity takes you that way! I wish you the very best and hope you enjoy yourself as I am sure you will. Take it easy out there.

[Hector]

Not often I agree with Waddo!

I was a m/cyclist (advanced) for many years, riding a 800cc then 1100cc BMW in and around London every day except when there was snow on the ground (tried it once, didn't get very far.) I'm pleased to say I was never involved in an RTC. Waddo rightly says 'I can say that you need to have eyes not only in the back of your head, but more importantly, in the sides as well as the front!'

Would I like to ride a m/cycle in NC? Yes. Would I? Never in a million years!

The risk is just too high even for an experienced rider. You are an advanced driver so you know 'the system of car control' and the dangers that lie at every 'hazard' I'm sure but in NC the majority of other drivers don't know what 'safe driving' means. What are the chances of them looking for or being aware of a m/cyclist?

At the same time the roads are just not constructed to a high enough safety standard.

The m/cycles you mention are very old and their road holding, breaking etc. are just that, old and not for todays roads and definitely not in NC.

Do yourself and your family a huge service and find another way of getting your excitement.... please.

[wizardofmann]

i was wondering if there were any Motorcycle owners / enthusiasts among us.

I could be accused of being the ultimate motorcycle enthusiast all my life, until I arrived here with my mean machine.

At the age of thirteen I borrowed my brothers exotic Italian 'moped' (Without his permission) and woke up in hospital! To cut a long story short, after falling off many times hurtling around race tracks up and down the UK, I managed to qualify to race around the famous Isle of Man TT circuit. And as is plainly obvious, I am still here to tell the tale.

In my experience, the motorbike rider always comes off worst in an accident .

Very true!

"But it's dangerous"! Yes it is. That's part of the fun of riding a motorcycle.

Also very true and as it’s been said. ‘A truer word never spoken in jest.’

Motorcycling can be a lot of fun as long as you ride with commons sense and self preservation in mind.

Also very true. The translation of road sense to car drivers over here is DEATH WISH!

Please consider this advice very carefully: Forget it!

[Groucho]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eZcP7KQ0mG0

TMF YouTube channel is informative and well presented ....

The problem in Cyprus is the other road users... even pedestrians can be lethal! They make a habit of appearing right in front of you... but use a motorbike in the traffic-free wilds and you ought to be fine.... cruising at comfortable speeds is the key.

[MnM]

Many thanks for all the feedback so far. I should have emphasised i am in UK and will be riding in UK, (if i get one), not Cyprus.

[Chriswright03]

Same applies wherever you ride. As you know from your Advanced driving observation is key to safety. More you can see and the sooner you can see it the safer you will be providing you to react to it and don't just see it. One of the many accidents involving bikes is when a motorist pulls out of a junction to the left of the main road that the rider is on. You will often see the quote "sorry mate didn't see you". That is as maybe but I bet you the rider saw them and most of the time just assumed (wrongly) that they had been seen and never bothered thinking about 'what if'.

I have ridden here for just over a year and whilst I accept not that many kilometres I have come across nothing to overly concern me. Yes I have seen stupidity from others but I can honestly say I have never seen anything that I thought was life threatening to me. Expect stuff to happen and be prepared to react to keep yourself safe. No matter where you ride risks are there you just have to do your part to minimise them and despite what many will tell you it is perfectly possible to enjoy riding in safety.

[Groucho]

Many thanks for all the feedback so far. I should have emphasised i am in UK and will be riding in UK, (if i get one), not Cyprus.

Oh well, you'll like the TMF channel then...

[waz-24-7]

Hi I recommend you do try OFF ROAD in Cyprus the mountains are a vast playground for off road riding.
I good group of guys around the Lapta area regularly go up the mountains on bikes and quads.
The scenery and massive network of tracks suit all levels of experience and ability.

I have a 2016 model KTM 450 factory for sale if you're interested. Don't worry I have another bike /bikes also.

[Groucho]

Hi I recommend you do try OFF ROAD in Cyprus the mountains are a vast playground for off road riding.
I good group of guys around the Lapta area regularly go up the mountains on bikes and quads.

Now we know how you came by the sobriquet waz-24-7!

[waz-24-7]

If Anyone is riding or thinking of riding in North Cyprus.

I thoroughly recommend you get out beyond Kyrenia towards and past Esentepe. The roads are superb. well laid , very light traffic and glorious fun.
One of the best rides and roads in the world. In my humble but well travelled opinion.