Quad bikes: opinions

[ChrisCurvyS]

A mechanic I use sells high-performance quads for the road with R1/GSXR engines and as far as I can tell, there's only him doing it professionally in the UK. Some info here:

www.speedlinebikes.co.uk

As he's always been top with me, I've started helping him out with bits and bobs relating to publicity - got him something lined up with Visordown in the near future, all being well.

Most of his customers are younger riders attracted to quads as they're so much easier to get into than bikes now thanks to the EU (you only need a car license).

Just wanted to ask what you as bike riders generally make of quads? Would you ever consider getting one and if so, why?

I was always a bit skeptical - saw them as a chav thing and why bother when you can have a bike? But after riding one of his R1-engined ones I can def see the appeal. Would miss filtering and leaning in the corners but so much fun launching them off the line or grabbing handfuls of front brake and not worrying about losing it, also much easier to live with in the ice and rain of course.

Thoughts please?!

[tigersaw]

I know someone in wales who uses one for everyday occasional transport, but they have narrow roads and little traffic, plus its a Honda with trails type tyres so it gets used for chasing the sheep too.
Fantastic fun, but I'm not sure it would translate into urban life

I can see them being good for the winter etc as their cheap to run plus you can get 4x4 quads which are great in the snow.

Regards to race powered quads, yes they are/can be great fun but the negatives outway the positives... I wouldnt wana get stuck in traffic when filtering is like the beauty of bikes...

If I won the lottery/ came into some money then why not but I wouldnt go out of my way personally to buy one.

[DJ123]

I'd like one for messing around off road

[ChrisCurvyS]

Thanks guys - yeah I think the same way. Would be an awesome fun toy if I could afford it as well as a bike, but would miss filtering too much to swap.

Apparently they're very popular with disabled and older bikers - met an amputee with one at the TT last year. Course you can adapt bikes to get around some disabilities eg lost arm (I know there's a fella on here who races competetively without the use of his arm) but if you've lost the strength in your legs but still want the buzz of a fast bike, quads are ideal.

[tigersaw]

Didn't Joe Marcon have one for 5 minutes?

[ChrisCurvyS]

Originally Posted by tigersaw

Didn't Joe Marcon have one for 5 minutes?

That and the Apache helicopter. (restricted to 33bhp).

One that he posted about with loads of problems then tried selling it beautiful..

[Mr Speirs]

If any quad bike was to appeal to me it would be an off road type rather than road.
Not that there is anywhere to ride one off road though!

I understand the appeal for disabled riders and in that respect its a brilliant alternative.

For the record, if they are road legal, there are tons of green lanes and byways that you can take a quad off road.