Ray Kerr, MD of bikerTagz, personal ID for bikers
Your Bike: A 929 Fire Blade road bike, a CBR600 race bike and a midimoto R1 replica.
Tell us about your choices? I've always been a huge Honda fan. The Fire Blade represents the pinnacle of affordable top quality Japanese engineering; it's just such a well-balanced package. The CBR600 is great fun and very fast on the track and it looks so cool. The midimoto is just pure madness; it draws more attention than both the Blade and the CBR together!
Why did you become a biker? Wasn't every boy drawn to bikes when he was growing up? Bikes were just so much more exciting than cars and more affordable for me. I remember spending Saturdays touring the bike dealerships and gawping at rows and rows of bikes, when I think back I can still smell the aroma of those showrooms full of dream machines.
What do you use your bikes for? Everything from commuting, fun, relaxation and business. The Blade is used on the road although it has had a couple of days out at Mondello. I use the CBR600 for Track Days and promoting bikerTagz and the midimoto is used for scooting around the paddock. If I can convince my wife I will be racing the CBR600 next year.
Did you take rider training? No, I was very much self taught but I went on to become one of the first and youngest motorcycle instructors to be licensed in Britain many, many years ago, although I don't instruct now. I'm a qualified advanced rider and have attended numerous training courses since taking to two wheels. Training is a must for anyone who wants to take to public roads on a bike; it's your first line of defence, your lifesaver.
What do your family think of your biking? There was a proud history of motorcycle ownership in our family. I grew up on a farm and was introduced to all types of vehicles very early on. My father was a Norton fan and he would take me out to the fields sit me on an old Honda 50 point me in the right direction and say, go on then get on with it! I think that's where I first picked up precise throttle control!
Do you worry about survival? No, I'm a confident and experienced rider. I'm fortunate that I've had excellent training and years of experience. I wear the best protective gear money can buy, including a back protector, my bikerTagz and I always ride prepared for anything to happen.
Have you ever had an accident? Yes, a couple of years ago I was side swiped by a white van who pulled that famous "I didn't see you routine" he waited until I was level with his drivers door before pulling out into the outside lane which I was occupying at the time, he was looking straight at me when he made the move! Fortunately, it was a low speed spill but I was slightly concussed, a little bruised and had to spend the night in hospital. The emergency services were great.
Are there any issues you think the Minister for Transport should address for bikers? Firstly I think he should subscribe to a good motorcycle magazine! Bikes are becoming more important for many people as a viable means of commuting and they are also great fun. He should publish a road traffic policy which recognises this and pays attention to the needs of an ever-growing number of voters who use bikes as their primary method of transport. He also needs to do something about the proliferation of left hand drive vehicles appearing in this country, they represent a mortal danger to bikers because they have critical blind spots especially those with tinted or blacked out windows.
Any tips for survival on two wheels? Spatial awareness; always be acutely aware of your surroundings and what's going on around you. And ride defensively not aggressively on the roads.
For more information on BikerTagz visit bikertagz.com