Motorcycling is a buzz ! Of all driving experiences, there's little to rival the raw excitement and sensation of power and speed. Whatever your choice of machine, the experience of fresh air and freedom of the open road is exhilarating.

Depending on how your mood or circumstances take you, motorcycling can be a solitary or a social pleasure which unlike many leisure pursuits you don't find yourself stuck in heavy traffic before you can enjoy it.

The advantage of two wheels over four is nowhere more clear than on crowded roads. You can't beat a bike for unscrambling the jams and parking with greater ease.

Successful street riding ....
Your brain has to be in top working order ! Calm your mind of every distraction, breathe deeply and start relaxed. On the road total consideration has to be the most important consideration - you have to be much more alert on two wheels.

Riding bikes is all about keeping within your own limits and watching out for anything likely to affect you in advance, keeping tabs on your whole environment. This means running a continuous update on:

	any following traffic
	side roads from where slow-moving cars could spill into your path
	road surface problems
	fuel and oil levels
	engine revs, gear and speed

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Beware of tiredness, the first symptom being a gradual focussing closer to the front wheel. Before you find yourself reacting to events after they've happened, pull up for a rest.

Good machine control is achieved by using your body weight on the seat and footpegs rather than just through the handlebars. Aim your vision high for a smooth and accurate line.
Improving your riding skills increases your ability to ride faster and big skills give big thrills, but at what cost ? You could find yourself further up the creek with absolutely no paddle ! Riding a powerful machine to its limits and fulfilling any ultimate personal challenge is part of the thrill of living life to the full. This is however something for the racing circuit where success even there takes a lot of practice. For most motorcyclists riding is an adventure which simply has to be experienced and savoured.

Born again riders ....
Someone once said that 'statistics are like a bikini, what they reveal is suggestive and what they conceal is vital'. There are certainly some statistics that can't be ignored; bike sales are up and the majority of new riders, and therefore new buyers, are 'older' or 'born again'. While other statistics might be disputed; 'born agains' are becoming involved in a disproportionate number of accidents.

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