We're not sure if this is a record, but a biker in Southampton has just been handed 39 penalty points for repeatedly speeding at speeds of up to 88mph in a 30 zone, as well as pulling a wheelie for the camera. He was also banned for 18 months and fined for his trouble - you can see the report here, or watch the local news report.

Of the seven times he admitted to in court, Steven Skilton was caught at speeds of 88, 82, 77, 72, 54, 58 and 83 miles per hour on his Kawasaki ZX-10R.

Anyone can make the odd mistake and go a bit too fast on a bike as powerful as this Ninja, but repeatedly flouting the law is sure to attract the interest of the plods, even if your numberplate isn't visible. Sure enough, I hear they pulled out all the stops to catch this guy, and eventually tracked him down by his jacket - a rare Dainese number that was sold to only a couple of people in the UK.

It can be difficult getting motorbike insurance with convictions, but thankfully Bikesure can help in most cases, and you may even find, that for one or two SP30s, your quote might not be any more expensive than if you have a clean license, although if you have managed to rack up 39 points, I'm afraid you may be looking at a rather hefty premium for a few years.

Labels: cheaper motorcycle insurance, convicted rider, kawasaki, motorcycle, ninja, speeding, sportsbikes

link | posted by Dave Wilson at Wednesday, October 01, 2008
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Sunday Morning. A lovely sunny day, perfect riding conditions. Still rubbing the sleep from my eyes, I sent a bit of a random text to a mate who lives over 100 miles away; "Fancy meeting up for a ride out and then coming over for a BBQ?"

I got the answer I was hoping for and we arranged to meet somewhere in the middle.

So I got on my Black Z750 which I don't use nearly enough and hit the road. It was just right; dry and sunny but not too warm. A few less cars on the road would have been nice but what can you do? Nothing apart from overtake them of course.

We met up had a chat about the ride and then set of to a nearby dealership "just to have a look". Outside the garage there sat a lovely looking Triumph Speed Triple. We had a bit of time to spare so I blagged a test ride on said bike for a bit of fun. What could possibly go wrong?

As it happens nothing went wrong. In fact it all went right, too bloody right. It felt so right it must have been wrong. The bike seemed to know exactly where I wanted to go and obediently, straining at the leash rushed to get there in the most pleasurable way imaginable. The bike was so responsive and delivered the seemingly never ending power to the wheels smoothly but with a raw edge. Gulp!

I arrived back at the dealership with a shit eating grin (what does that mean exactly) spread across my face. Oh dear.

My fate was sealed and although it took me a couple of days of wrestling with my conscious (I don't "need" a new bike) and my mortgage (hiding the cost over a 25 year mortgage seems sensible to me) I placed the order for the new machine.

I've found a buyer for the Z750 (bye bye) and should be picking up the new Speed Triple in Matt Black (only 100 made so I must be an individual and carving my own niche in life?) in a couple of weeks.

Mid life crisis? What mid life crisis?

I'll let you know how it is and post a photo when it arrives.

Laters.

Rob

Labels: bike dealers, bike insurance, bikesure, kawasaki, ride out, speed triple, triumph, z750

link | posted by Dave Wilson at Thursday, June 07, 2007
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