Mary Newman, Microsoft Global Helpdesk Program Manager
What is your current machine and how much did it cost? I'm the proud owner of a Honda RVF400, I bought it second hand for about €4,600.
What attracted you to this particular bike? We had been looking for ages and I was set on getting a CBR250RR. But when I first saw the RVF 400, I loved the look of it, it had nice lines, and cool-racing colours and it had very low mileage. When I sat on it, it was just the right size, and when I rode it, it was gorgeous, quick, sporty and comfortable.
What attracted you to two rather than four wheels? I was a pillion passenger for years and thought, time is marching on and with two small kids if I don't get biking now I never will. I loved the thrill of the speed, beating the traffic and got fed up being on the back, even being a passenger you get a feel for what the biker community is about. My better half is a long-time biker and absolutely supports the "biker chick" thing so encouraged me all the way to the shop! He taught me on a KDX125, then his VFR400 and then tried out his CBR600, it just kept getting better, until I submitted into buying my own wheels!
Would you take your children on the bike? No, I would not carry my precious cargo on the bike although both are keen to be biker chicks.
As a female biker, have you come up against any criticisms from men? Not much actually, I'm proud of my bike and I think it holds a certain amount of street-cred, it's not exactly a moped. I have a healthy interest in bikes and cars so if the guys engage in biker talk and you can talk the talk, it helps the respect levels.
Do you drive a car? Yep, I have a BMW 318i for chauffeuring the kids around and for rainy days.
Are you likely to change your bike in the future or are you happy with what you've got? I'm delighted with what I've got, I've no intention of changing, you don't see a lot of this particular model around and I reckon I got it a good bargain, so I'm not likely to part with it in the near future.
What do you use your bike for? Pure pleasure, my commute to work is only two kilometres, so I'm not trying to beat the traffic like the rest of the world, I like to use the bike just for a spin or to commute on nice days.
How much do you spend on bike gear? It's hard to say altogether, I'm just getting new gear now, but once you're kitted out with good gear, it lasts. Overall to get dressed for the bike will cost me about €1,200 to €1,500.
Have you taken any trips abroad on two wheels?
Only as a pillion passenger on a CBR900RR Fireblade to the British grand prix in Donnington Park and I loved it!
More people than ever are now taking to the road on two wheels, why do you think this is? Definitely people are fed up trying to beat their way to work in the traffic, so I think it's more practicality than pleasure. Although on a Sunday morning all the commuters and couriers stay in bed and all the bikers hit the road for a scratch and a spin.
What you do think is the bond that links bikers closer than motorists? Today a car is a necessity. The bike thing is more a hobby, a community with a common interest. You don't get "Motorists' Pubs" but you sure have your choice of "Bikers' Pubs". If you're upgrading your car you talk to a garage, but upgrading your bike you shoot the breeze with biker friends and read the mags. There's more of a mutual respect on the road between bikers that you just don't get behind the wheel of a car. If a biker's in trouble a fellow biker will always stop, if you've car trouble, you call the AA, that's what the bond is about.