Motorcycle Live 2025

Sometimes I listen to people talking when I am at a cafe or read posts on the internet and you get very tall, very overweight people talking about saving grams in weight on their bikes by changing a tiny part to carbon fibre or the bigger weight saving that changing the exhaust etc can give and sometimes think they are rather missing the point, especially for the average road riding skills of most of us. A few less full breakfasts and the weight saving would be far more.

 

A good mate of mine was time trial champion two years running in a local cycling club. While training for the next year he realised he was never going to be a world champion and was punishing himself with diet and training for nothing. He then started drinking again, eating pies and stuff but still kept cycling. He bought carbon seat post and bars etc for his mountain bike so he could save weight there rather than doing without a pint

 

Most modern 1-litre sports bikes pack between 190 bhp and 230 bhp, hitting over 100 mph in first gear. They’re loaded with electronic aids that help keep things in check, but knowing their capabilities and limits is crucial. Nearly all of these rider aids can be switched off for those who prefer a more raw experience. Fundamental to riding is understanding both the machine and one's own skill. Advanced riding skills are often very beneficial in my view as are track days, but transferring track riding techniques to road riding are mainly non-transferable, by that I mean most people will not be getting their knee down on the road or backing it into corners etc. Can most riders utilise all the power of these sportsbikes on public roads I very much doubt it, but you can still have a lot of fun riding them, you adapt to the bike and road conditions. A newly qualified rider could quite easily ride say the new BMW S1000R with the power mode turned down and electronics on, and as skills and confidence progress a different power map can be utilised. What appears problematic from a personal point of view is that people who have not ridden a bike for a good few years, suddenly go out and buy a high performance machine with the 200-plus bhp, and not bother with any further training. My 765rs reached 160mph on the dyno after the re-map. Can I utilise that on UK roads, well no I can't myself, nor would I try. Out of the UK or on track is a different matter, but the riding I do mostly is on tight stone-walled roads that I love, similar to those around the IOM S100. Riding my son's Panigale 1299s is fun on these types of roads, but rarely is it out of 3rd gear in linked bends, it is such a light bike with superb handling, and the full electronics suspension makes for a nice ride. We are all different in what we like. I have spent a fortune on my 765rs, was it sensible or not I don't think so, but it was my preferred route and I enjoy riding it, and it has transformed it no end. Anyway, back to the show with some new photos, I would have gladly ridden away on one of the custom choppers I saw.

 

100% this.