Originally Posted By pandy
I finally renounced motorbikes about 14 years ago when a great friend of mine was knocked off his Triumph Trophy by a drunken idiot and killed aged 50; he'd been riding since the age of 17 with no serious accidents. He left a widow and 4 kids still at school. I decided that as long as I too had those sort of responsibilities, much 'tho I love bikes, I'd pack it in as you're just so vulnerable. Maybe I'll let myself have one for a little light bimbling once my kids are off the payroll.....

I had a head on with a drunk when I was 49. My just restored Morini 500 Sport suffered less damage than I did. I came out after two years in and out of hospital and re-hab with permanent nerve damage to my right leg, a hip replacement, various other plates and screws, and a missing part of a finger. I was actually a motorcycle licence instructor and examiner at the time.

I still ride bikes but now much less and the Morgan is very much our replacement for motorcycle touring and I have no regrets about that smile

I am probably very much in the minority but quite frankly I agree with the concept of power limits on road bikes. Nobody, but nobody, needs more than about 100 hp on a road bike. Nobody needs a bike that has a top speed of over 200 km/h so why would you need more power. OK having a limit is not going to save many lives, but it will save some (usually the poor b.. who was crossing an intersection and did not expect the dot in the distance to suddenly become a bike wedging itself into his car door at 300 km/h)(and yes, something similar to that happened to me when I was 21. My car looked as though it had lost a fight with a telegraph pole)

By extension I also think there should be limits on road cars too. If someone wants more they can always get a track car or bike and do it in a safer place - on the track.

To return to the subject of the thread: anyone living and driving in the UK on a foreign Licence should change for a UK licence ASAP because grandfather clauses (usually) do not apply when a foreign licence is changed for a UK one.

Three wheelers are considered motorcycles in Italy and helmets must be worn. I suspect this is the case in most countries. I have no idea what happens if one is pulled up whilst driving a UK registered three wheeler with a UK licence that is only for cars. If you are travelling outside the UK I think it would be wise to carry a copy of the regulation that permits you to drive a three wheeler with a car licence. Chances are they would be so confused by the whole thing that you would not have any problems but if, for some reason, you get a real b of a cop it may be best to be prepared.

Peter

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