Graham Fahey, fund accountant and racer
Your bike? Honda CBR250 MC22 and NDM Honda CBR400 NC29 Racebike
Why these bikes? Ever since I bought my first Honda I've realised they're the bike for me. The CBR250 is simply a great bike and never ceases to impress me since I bought my first one nearly three years ago. I love the rev range that goes right up to 18,500rpm. It's a great bike to ride; it's reliable, and very quick. For me it doubles as a commuter as well as a bike I can have some fun on.
I had owned a road version of the CBR400 racebike, which I sold last year. I loved that bike and still regret selling it. This one is basically a more powerful big brother to the 250, the ideal next step in my opinion and very reliable as a race-prepped machine.
Why did you take to two wheels? My father was a biker and his bikes and the races he attended always fascinated me.
Did you take any rider training? No, I just practised a bit before getting on the public roads. I learned an awful lot from my father and from bits of advice other older riders offered me over the years. I take it all on board because motorcycle training is an ongoing learning process.
What does your insurance cost? It's nearly €1,500 for third-party-only cover with Carole Nash on my CBR250. Recently I picked out my next bike and discovered that I couldn't get covered on it and it's only a 600cc. That's why I haven't bothered upgrading from the 250 yet because I can't get the bike I really want.
Were there any family objections to your racing? Yes, I wanted a bike when I was 16 but my parents resisted and stood firm. I eventually wore them down and they let me get my first bike to commute to college. They occasionally express concern over my racing.
Do you worry about your survival as a racer? Well yes, I guess it's the worry that keeps me alert to possible dangers I may encounter.
Tell us about your crashes? I've had several on the road. I had one really bad one when a van drove out of a house straight into my side. In racing, crashing comes with the territory, once you push yourself and the bike you're always on the edge. I've had one serious race crash this year which disrupted my season badly when I was taken out by a competitor. All my gear did its job, but I still count myself lucky after that one.
Do you follow motorcycle sports? Ever since I was young I've watched motorcycle racing so I could learn from the masters. I follow MotoGP, British Superbikes, World Superbikes and Road Racing. I love watching it all. It's not quite as much fun as being part of it, but it comes a close second.
Any biking trips planned for the future? Next summer I'd like to take a trip to the FIM Rally in Germany, and I'll go to the UK later on this year for sure.
What you do think is the bond that connects the biking community? We share a similar passion. A lot of bikers have bikes as their secondary mode of transport and ride for the love of it. It's a smaller community and so the spirit is stronger.
Any tips for survival on two wheels? Wear gear appropriate to how you're biking and appreciate how vulnerable you are. Don't drive into situations blindly. Always leave some riding ability in reserve. Learn to read the road better and you'll avoid potentially dangerous situations. If you intend to ride faster do training and ride a bike that suits you and your riding style. I'm often amazed by riders who own machines and they are clearly unable to ride them properly for one reason or another.
I'd like to thank Steve and the lads in NDM for helping to prepare my machines. Thanks also to Ned Gaynor (Bikerbazaar), Ray Kerr (BikerTagz) and Jay for all your help.