1984 - Honda VF1000

It must be something to do with Physics. How is it that a bike as large as this can be so skittish around bends? Surely the mere bulk and tonnage would pin the beast to the ground – not so, get the line wrong, even at modest speed (no knee scraping here), and you’re assured of a heart in mouth, clenched buttocks moment as this leviathan defies every attempt I make to turn at the apex and hold the line.

But it’s not all bad news – bends don’t last forever; and some bends only just qualify to be called a bend. Straight roads, gently flowing curves, dual carriageways, now this is better. Despite her age, the 1000 V four still packs a mighty punch. The five speed gearbox is happy for some nifty changes, just don’t get too cheeky. Enough power and performance on tap to ease past traffic and push on to 120 mph before the bike shows signs of objecting, or perhaps that’s just my bottle going. Probably there’s more speed in the beast, the fairing does a decent enough job of shielding rider from wind blast.

I suppose if you want to ride around on a bike nearing its twentieth birthday then you can’t expect it to compare favourably on all points with it’s modern equivalent. But thanks to Honda reliability and build quality, it does a decent enough job, certainly it offers reasonable comfort. Could do with better brakes; most 600s offer better stopping power and have less weight to pull up.

There are benefits that come with age – insurance being one. After some worthwhile investigation on the Internet I managed to find fully comp cover for just over £100. But before there’s a stampede of people desperate to buy this 1000cc ageing superbike, my age at 52 years and counting may have a bearing on cost. Still, the point of looking for a good deal online is well made – my first quote was over £250.

Bugger, its started raining. This brings out the best and worst of the bike. Fairing that keeps the rider dry coupled with handling that ensures any sane person will cut average speeds in half making journies take twice as long – obviously justifying the quality fairing.

Is that physics or philosophy? Who gives a sxxt, at least I’m riding, I’m dry and I’m smiling.