| Ok here we go, firstly my opinions are here just that; my opinions. Not that of the DSC, and I am certainly not trying to impose my opinions on other people, but as you asked, here we go.
I have been thinking for sometime about the differing attitudes of the “general public” towards motorcyclists in this country as I think we will all agree there are some countries that treat their motorcyclists with a lot more respect than what we are faced with. I can drive (in my executive saloon) into any hotel in the UK and get a meal, room, and have even had valet parking before. However I have been turned away at the car park before even getting to the door when I have ridden up on a bike. I am the same person but they judge me negatively as I am riding a motorbike. However I have ridden into a Monte Carlo luxury hotel to be warmly greeted to the point of the owner taking his own car out of his garage and parking in the street so myself and mates can garage our bikes.
The issue of law breaking, show boating, load exhausts, small number plates, Fast Bikes magazine with wheelies on front cover all have an extremely detrimental effect on our hobby, as they influence public opinion. You and I may realise that somebody getting knee down on a roundabout is no big deal, but to the non motorcyclist it is at best irresponsible.
Why is it that the Spanish and Italian and to some extent French dominate in MotoGP? Because it is their companies that are putting in the sponsorship money; Telefonica, Freixnet, Gauloisses, Repsol etc. In those countries people that do not ride bikes see the sport for what it is, enormous fun; they respect it and those that ride bikes. Why do no British, American or Australian companies put money into MotoGP? Because in their home countries to be seen as linking your company with motorcyclists is to be seen as trouble, or certainly negative. So next time you buy Fast Bikes, or Performance Bikes you are putting a nail in the coffin of the likes of Neil Hodgson or Shane Byrne getting a decent ride in the top class of racing. The recent Troy Bayliss/Carlos Checa switch is proof of sponsorship power.
In saying all of that I confess that as a youngster I got up to all sorts naughtiness; Chelsea Bridge to Heston Services (real) road racing was a favourite naughty. So you youngsters be prepared to turn into your boring parents, I am. I recently rode with somebody I would describe as an extremely quick A to B road rider, he was an off duty policeman. It was stick to the 30mp’s without doubt, stick to the 40mph’s and 50mph’s, but de-restricted roads ride to the conditions. It was the best days riding for me this year, and believe me it pushed me to the limit.  |