Biking benchmarks ?

[DJ123]

1. bike to own, realistically speaking, not pie in the sky stuff, but what you'd aim at one day getting and what you'll probably own on the way there.

My next bike, will be an adventure tourer. Considering the Vstrom 1000 due in 2014 if it is any good.

2. Kit, from a novice stand point what would be the amount/type you'd spend on and have available.
Textiles. Always worn them and most likely always will. Except for when i eventually venture onto the track and ivnest in some leathers.

3. things to see & do, from watching a Motogp/WSB event, to visiting NW200/IOM TT/ Nurburgring, tour (to where/ both this country or abroad).
Been to see Moto GP twice, loved it. Planning to see more and at different venues. Would like to see more bike races.
Touring, i have set my sights on Europe and starting next year depending on if i have my touring bike by then.

4. Expanding the passion, adding skills, like Rospa/IAM, off road, branching out to other bike sports, ACU license, trials, grasstrack even, learning spannering, spraying any other practical bike care skills.

i do 'spannering' it's an enjoyable thing to do for me. Adds another dimension to it. Always considered advanced Rospa/IAM, done a few advanced courses in the mean time.

[ChrisCurvyS]

Funny isn't it - I've done things the other way round. I'd always wanted to do my bike test but thought I wouldn't want anything more than a 125 - 60mph was enough for me I thought. Slow = safe. A small 500cc cruiser was my ambition at the most - I never really saw the appeal of sportsbikes.

Less than three years after passing my test, the curvy feels slow and I've got a friend's Hayabusa lined up as my next bike. And even though I'm 30 (way old in orger terms), I can't see myself getting into adventure bikes or cruisers anytime soon.

Just for no.4 I would absolutely love to get an old wreck of an old school jap 400 sports bike and restore it back to former glory then take it on the track! That's the dream anyway...

[dizzyblonde]

Originally, many years ago upon passing my DAS, I said to myself and others I would never need to ride anything more than a 600. I kept reasonably close with the SV for several years. It became increasingly apparent in the latter years spending many hours riding with advanced riders that it was time to upgrade and I took the option of Italian litre vtwin. I can't really envisage what I would like as something new due to having the disposal of a ZZR14 belonging to my OH. You can't really aspire to anything more, once you've gotten to the top of what would be on most people's wish list. Keeping the SV was a great decision, as both of us quite like going back to basics every now and again.

I've always bought the very best gear I could afford at any given point in time. Even if that meant buying expensive and reliable kit, at a discounted price. We both wear Rukka, both bought heavily discounted, previously I've used Halvarssons.. Neither of us believe in buying cheap tat over and over, when decent gear can last year's more. I've learnt the hard way with cheap gear on very long tours. I won't allow that sort of failing again. I'd say to any novice, to seriously do research of anything you might have your eye, before purchase. Making sure it fits 'all' your needs saves you money in the long run.

I've been to all four corners of the UK on my bikes, apart from Ireland. I'd like to do that. I've gone over the pond and experienced European roads, but would love to go further, perhaps into Spain, Italy or most definitely Greece.

Having spent time riding with IAMs and RospA folk, I can see the appeal. I'm more than capable of performing to the required levels to ascertain their status, but neither have the time, nor see the need to outlay money to do it. So, I ride doing my own thing.

[Paul the 6th]

some of my mile stones & benchmarks:

- achieving kneedown is a milestone...
- foreseeing that the front wheel may lift or the whole bike may become airborne over certain bits of road *without* panicking when it happens is another one which comes with experience (or has done for me personally).
- People making remarks that you're a quick rider - I spent the first 3 years of riding trying to figure out how the older guys were so quick through corners, again, comes with experience of things like trackdays and following faster rides to see how they read the road..
- being fully self reliant with stuff like a compass and map and all your camping gear, rather than satnav and having someone else take your luggage to a meet (says the man who turned up at AR last year in a van! although have done about 4 or 5 self reliant camping trips to date)
- completing a proper touring holiday (did 6 days in scotland last year, want to do 10 days in Europe next)

[keith_d]

I've been riding for four or five years, so here goes...

1. bike to own,

If I could only own one it would be a comfy sports tourer. But I'm considering getting something a bit livelier as a fun bike.

2. Kit,

For me, comfy leathers are a winner. I wear mine all year round and just add extra layers (windproof jacket/waterproofs) to suit the weather.

3. things to see & do

If I didn't have to work for a living I'd love to spend a couple of months with a bike, a tent and a camera touring North Africa. Ideally in the company of a few like minded folks.

4. Expanding the passion,

I've done a few rides with the IAM. I've just signed up for a half day introduction to off road riding

1. bike to own, realistically speaking, not pie in the sky stuff, but what you'd aim at one day getting and what you'll probably own on the way there.

I must admit, this is something I'm thinking about at the moment. I love my SM-T, but I do have an eye on the Multistrada and 1190 Adventure as potential replacements. I think I've done sportsbikes, and I didn't really see the appeal.

2. Kit, from a novice stand point what would be the amount/type you'd spend on and have available.

My first kit top to toe probably cost about £500. For that price, it was splashproof and lasted a few years, so I couldn't complain. I've upgraded everything a couple of times since, but I'm going to enjoy a ride today in Aldi kevlar jeans.

3. things to see & do, from watching a Motogp/WSB event, to visiting NW200/IOM TT/ Nurburgring, tour (to where/ both this country or abroad).

My thoughts here are that you should get a bike magazine and have a flick through the event pages. Lots of events happen which cross over boundaries or could be seen as a easy way to sample the thing, so you could do Olivers Mount at Scarborough as a cheaper alternative to an IoM trip for example.

4. Expanding the passion, adding skills, like Rospa/IAM, off road, branching out to other bike sports, ACU license, trials, grasstrack even, learning spannering, spraying any other practical bike care skills.

Similarly to the above, the best thing to do is to find a way of trying things out. When I went to the NEC this year, I tried out riding a trials bike (which was hard work) for free. I went on johnnyrods MX tryout day last year to try that aspect of riding, and I'm going to try Moto Gymkhana at the Bikesafe show in a couple of weeks. On the other hand, I'm a NABD supporter, a MAG member and local representative, and an IAM member and observer.

[Bibio]

1. well i pretty much own the bike i want, just need to add a few other bits but it's almost there.

2. i really really need a set of good and i mean good textiles but they cost megggggga money.

3. to be able to have no responsibility's so i can tour Europe for about 6 months.

4. pretty much got everything. would like a nice big shed to put all my shiny shiny stuff in and add lathe and milling to the list.

i'm working on the shed but need a good few more pennies.

I'd like a mv Augusta 800 brutalie
my gears ok
get back into a bit of scrambling
& some track days
wouldn't mind the tt
I could go on but
looking at reality
those things I can do

Originally Posted by Bibio

2. i really really need a set of good and i mean good textiles but they cost megggggga money.

Define good? I have a spada set that were about £200 i think 4 years back, never once got wet through any zip or seam. Still going just as strong as the day i bought them, only looking a bit grubby is all.