Gerry Davis, chief executive of the Public Relations Institute of Ireland/The Public Relations Consultants Association, talks about his Kawasaki EN 500.
Your first machine: I'm still on it - a four-year-old Kawasaki EN 500. I bought it second-hand last year for €4,600. The man I bought it from is 70-years-old - he went back to biking the previous year! Having looked around at a number of machines, I liked the EN's classic cruiser-style, performance and excellent balance.
What do you use it for mostly? Mainly for commuting to and from work, but the odd Sunday I'm to be found cruising around the mountains with the chief executive of another professional institute, also a late convert to biking.
What attracted you to motorbikes: I was qualified to drive a variety of vehicles, including armoured, during my Army career and I always wanted to master the motorbike. I enjoy the challenge biking presents in terms of the extra alertness and attention it requires. What helped my decision to move to two wheels was spending so much time in traffic on the way to and from the office on Merrion Square.
Any family history of biking? No, there's no history of biking in my family. As it happened, I took delivery of my bike on my son's 20th birthday, so I think he thought that it was a present for him - sorry to disappoint!
What was the family's reaction? A bit dubious at first but they've got used to it. My wife says I'm more relaxed since I took to the bike and that has to be good. My mother is still saying the novenas.
Have you changed your view of motorists? So far, I've been quite impressed by the attitude of car drivers since I took to biking. The vast majority give you space and seem to recognise our relative vulnerability. However, I read somewhere that bikers should ride as though everyone on four wheels is out to kill them and I tend to follow this philosophy to an extent. Opening bus lanes to motorcycles would make life better for all.
What do you think of biking's image? With more "mature" bikers taking to the road, I think biking is losing its Hell's Angels' image which, of course, was a bit overstated in the first place. A motorbike is a very efficient and cost-effective means of transport, but you need to have a good understanding of road conditions and hazards, as well as machine capabilities and characteristics.
Many younger bikers have not developed the necessary road sense and frantic and erratic driving does not help the biker image. This includes many who make a living on motorcycles.
How much spent on bike gear? I've spent quite a bit . . . my Arai Hemet helmet was €450, my Rayven jacket and trousers €400, my Diadeo boots €150 and my Weisse gloves €60.
The temptation is to overspend on gear but a certain minimum investment in protective gear is essential.
Your next bike? I don't see myself changing for a while but I'd love to own a Triumph Bonneville America - Bikeworld on the Long Mile Road has one with only 700 miles on the clock and loads of extras. It's my dream bike.