John Fair, sales & marketing manager, Mondello Park
Why the Kawasaki ZRX1100? Because of that beautiful Kawasaki growl and because it has power and reliability combined with great muscle bike looks.
Why did you become a biker? The feeling of the wind in your hair, the bugs in your teeth and the freedom and adrenaline rush and I like the challenge of riding bikes, they're in my blood and I just can't stop.
Did you take any rider training? No. I've been around bikes for 26 years and safety wasn't as high on the agenda during the '70s and '80s as it is now. Tarmac surfing is not a sport I particularly want to excel in, so I intend to do an MSA riding course to advanced level at Mondello in July. The older I get, I realise that you can never get enough training and you're probably never as good as you think you are.
Do you worry about safety? I try not to worry too much, because I'd probably never go out if I did. Vigilance is the key to your survival. I have found in recent years that the roads are getting more dangerous. Hmm, now I'm starting to get worried.
What do you use your bike for? Stress relief! I love getting out to Wicklow for the air and scenery or doing a run to Galway to see family and friends.
Had any accidents? I've been lucky. I only crashed a bike once. I was 15, and I was working in a bike shop. I decided to go back-street racing in a T-shirt and jeans with no helmet. It was a classic case of young and dumb. I managed to keep my head up but it was streaky bacon from ankle to shoulder.
Do you follow motorbike sports? I love all bike sport. Barry Sheene and Joey Dunlop were my heroes (RIP) and I love Valentino Rossi in the Moto GP, his ability and personality make for superb racing. Basically, anything with an engine gets me going; bikes, cars, planes or boats. I'm really looking forward to the British Superbikes in Mondello on May 15th.
Any biking issues for the government? I wish the government would deal with the insurance issue before biking becomes an old man's sport. The garrotte wire on the M50 central reservation should be removed. The road surfaces need to be improved, and attitudes to bikers have to change. In my experience bikers have to be sharper than car drivers to survive. This, for a fact, also makes them better car drivers. So please don't penalise bikers and introduce draconian rules. Using two wheels in the city improves traffic flow, which equals better time management and so benefits the economy. And remember bikers are voters too!
Any tips for survival? Don't be a hero, ride within your own and your bike's ability, be vigilant and keep your bike in the best possible shape by regularly check everything on it. Wear proper gear, not slip-on shoes, and get trained. Yep, I know, I'll be doing that one myself.
If you won the lottery what would be your dream machine? I guess I'd have to get that new BMW K1200R muscle bike with all the carbon fibre bits. Then I'd fill my new mansion with every classic superbike ever made from the 1930s to the 1970s.