Journalists Love at First Bike
In the lead up to Valentines Day we've spoken to four industry experts to see where it all started for them and how they fell in love with biking!
Roland Brown
Roland's love affair with bikes started when he was just 16 and he bought his first moped. Having penned more than 10 books about biking and being a full time motorcyclist since 1982 Roland is definitely one of the country's leading authorities when it comes to the subject. Now working with one of the UK's leading national newspapers, The Telegraph, Roland shares some of his thoughts with us on his favourite topic.
When did you first fall in love with biking?
It was 1976 and I was 16 years old having just acquired my first bike. I was living in Hertfordshire at the time and it seemed to be all the rage to be riding around on a moped, so I got one – a Yamaha FS1E which had a top speed of around 45 mph!
It certainly wasn't the fastest thing I've ever ridden, one of the first trips I took was riding into London which seemed to take an age, but nothing can beat that sense of freedom and being in control that you experience on your bike.
What are you riding now?
Currently I've got a Triumph Street Triple R which is great and a bit of a different ride from the first 'big bike' I had – a Bonneville.
Who are your biking heroes?
I've had a few bikers that I've looked up to, especially when growing up. I think one of the most popular when I was younger was Barry Sheene, everyone seemed to be raving about him, especially as he became a World Champion Grand Prix motorcycle road racer in 1977 – he was the last Brit to hold that title until Danny Kent in 2015.
Barry was certainly something, but if pushed, I think I would say my favourite biker would be the legendary Ron Haslam. He raced for over thirty years and seemed to win everything. He also participated in almost 110 GPs which is incredible.
Keith Huewen was another of my heroes – he was actually one of the very first bikers that I interviewed and he can be found commentating on BT Sport.
Tell us about your dream bike...
If you're talking about sports bike then it's got to be the 1299 Panigale with its 1,285 cc four stroke V-twin engine and six speed transmission. I was lucky enough to review one last year and couldn't give it anything other than top marks.
If I was looking for a touring bike then I would probably say an Indian Roadmaster or Harley Ultra Classic – both are superb bikes.
What's your favourite biking memory?
This might be slightly unusual but I think my favourite biking memory was when I got my first job within the industry – as a staff writer for Bike Magazine. This was the moment that I realised I could take my passion and write about it for a living. I worked my way up at the magazine, eventually becoming the deputy editor before leaving in 1989 to become a freelancer. The years I spent there are definitely looked back on with fondness.
John Hogan
John has been a motorcycle journalist for over ten years and is currently the editor at www.superbike.co.uk. Capable of reaching over a million bikers a week, John is working hard to help drag the motorcycle industry into the 21st century. Follow him on Twitter @Johnatsuperbike
When did you first get into biking and what made you fall in love with it?
1987. I was seven years old and lived in Germany. Turns out Street Hawk was more than just casual viewing and by the time the opening credits had finished I was hooked. I got Street Hawk pyjamas for Christmas that year and wore them to school until I wore the knees out doing skids in the assembly hall.
Three years later I bought my first bike – a half share in a £1 Honda Melody. It wasn't until I was 14 that I got a Puch Maxi, the first bike I owned with any serious power. My parents were against bikes so I used to stash it in the local woods. A good friend ended up setting fire to it miles from home. I didn't speak to him for weeks afterwards.
Best biking memory?
Erm, how long have you got?
Riding to Le Mans to watch Ronnie Smith in the 24hr race the day after I passed my test.
Riding Barry Sheene's RG500 at Goodwood.
Crashing at the feet of Ron and Leon Haslam.
Riding an NSR500 in the sun at Donington.
Being chased by gangsters in Bosnia.
Riding a Desmo in the sun at Donington.
Every time I roll onto French soil with a full tank of fuel.
Being overtaken by a sideways Nicky Hayden.
Being overtaken by Colin Edwards' five year old son in the dirt in Texas.
Any half decent wheelie.
What's your dream bike?
Today it's an RD400 engined cafe racer, yesterday it was a 1992 Fireblade (black one), tomorrow it'll be a KTM 950SMR, then a new ZX-10R...
What's the one accessory you would never go riding without?
Until very recently, a packet of cigarettes. As it stands, a packet of Monster Munch crisps.
Where is the best place you've ridden through and why?
I enjoy riding in America. The roads might be boring but it's as cool as it is cliche'd. A big cruiser with stupid handlebars, an open faced helmet and a pair of sunglasses, bouncing along at 60mph and taking everything in. Riding really fast is great, but you can't do it all the time, if you have to go slow, you might as well do it in Texas.
Do you have any tips for someone just getting into biking and looking to buy their first bike?
Don't ignore regular maintenance and always do your helmet up before you put your gloves on. Around half a million people a year end up in A&E because they've slipped in the shower, motorbikes aren't as dangerous as people make out.
Dave Gurman
Dave Gurman has been fascinated by bikes for over five decades and has been involved in many aspects of the biking community. He is currently the editor of theridersdigest.co.uk an online biking magazine which has a large international following and features regular contribution from journalists across the world. Gurman is also a published author with his book “The Carin' Sharin' Chronicles”.
When did you first get into biking?
I've been enchanted by bikes since I was a kid – in the Sixties you couldn't turn on the Bank holiday news without seeing black and white images of teenagers in parkas swarming over groups of black leather jacketed bikers. It wasn't until I was twenty that I bought my first bike, a Suzuki TS90 because I was sick of the vagaries of public transport and of spending an hour and a half on a journey that would only take 25 minutes on a bike (at least that was the reasoning that I presented to my newlywed wife).
What made you fall in love with it?
Because although they might not be the most comfortable way to transport a body, they are definitely the most magical way to carry a soul. With the possible exception of downhill skiing, motorbikes provide the purest, most intense and most accessible means of travelling at superhuman speeds.
Tell us about your first riding experience...
This actually occurred a few years before I purchased my first bike – it was in the car park at the back of the Chemistry department at UCL. I was trying a friend's bike but I dropped the clutch too quickly, snatched the throttle back in panic and stuffed it into the back of a VM camper!
Who are your biking heroes?
Barry Sheene – he was a fantastic rider and an amazing personality who inspired me to start riding (as I wrote in his obituary).
What is your dream bike?
A 1976 black and gold Ducati 900SS Desmo. I actually owned one when I was 26 but my knackered right leg won't bend enough for rear-sets now, so these days it would be a comfortable custom frame built around a Triumph 1050 triple engine.
You can read more about Dave Gurman's experiences within the biking world through his book “The Carin' Sharin' Chronicles”.
Joanna Benz
Joanna's foray into the biking world started when she passed her test in 2013 and soon realised she had a lot of questions about riding and equipment. Joanna started blogging through instagram and is regularly invited by local dealers and large manufacturers for reviews on their products. You can find more information and read about Joanna's thoughts from her blog joannafbenz.com.
When did you first get into biking and what made you fall in love with it?
I fell in love with bikes a long time ago…I was 15 years old and my friend offered me the chance to take a ride on the back of his new toy. It was only a short trip but it left me completely speechless – which if you know anything about me, you'll know just how much or rarity that actually is! I was also left with a huge grin and butterflies in my tummy. You know the feeling... ;-)
My parents were totally against motorbikes after my father lost a friend in an accident so I was left to settle for the next best thing – being a pillion. I managed to block out my desperate need for a bike and attempted to move on with my life until about two years ago when I was with a friend who happened to visiting a Yamaha dealership to purchase a new bike. That's where I spotted a stunning girl in Race Blue and all the memories and emotions came flooding back. I nearly bought her that day despite that fact that I hadn't even got a license!
I rushed home to research training schools, booked some lessons and then headed straight back to the dealership to make my first bike purchase – and added a few extra bits too. Two months later, on the 1st August 2013, I passed my test and my bike came out of the workshop after being modded and lowered.
And the rest, as they say, is history.
What's your best biking moment?
I think my favourite biking memory comes from one particular day during my Euro tour last summer.
The day started when I woke up in Switzerland to a spectacular mountain view. My journey began on Grimsel Pass which was stunning but very busy. I then took the Susten Pass which has some magnificent views and was much better than the Grimsel Pass as there was next to no traffic. The day got even better as I swam in a crystal clear lake, which is easily the most refreshing thing one can experience after a few sweaty hours in leathers, before continuing the ride heading through France. The day finished by happening to find a cute hotel in the middle of nowhere - it was perfect and one of the best riding day's I've had.
Who are your biking heroes?
Guy Martin! Such a fascinating man, who just follows his dreams, and there's no stopping him. His passion for bikes is undeniable.
What's your dream bike?
BMW S1000RR HP4. Fast but safe, mean but beautiful, powerful but not intimidating. Ticks all the boxes for me. Unfortunately though I can't afford it, which is why I own the not-so-fancy version.
What's the one accessory you would never go riding without?
My full kit. All the gear, all the time. And a balaclava. Helps to control the helmet-hair situation.
Where is the best place you've ridden through and why?
Susten Pass is my all time favourite. And for more local fun, I love Brecon Beacons Park, both on road and off road. Absolutely fantastic!
Do you have any tips for someone just getting into biking and looking to buy their first bike?
Don't listen to others. First narrow it down to all the bikes that are within your budget. Then try your best to test ride them all. Buy the one that leaves you with the biggest grin :-)