Colm Corcoran, IT Support Analyst
Your bike: a Honda Transalp 600
Tell us why you chose the Honda Transalp?
For my daily 100km commute I needed something with a decent fairing to keep the weather off me all year round, so the Transalp was a good choice. Previously I would have gone for something sportier but the insurance on this bike is lower than most other 600ccs. The v-twin engine configuration also offered the sort of torque I was looking for.
When did you start biking?
I started biking at 19 years of age when insurance was easier to afford on two wheels rather than four. I still can't get a fair car insurance quote as my five-year's experience and no claims bonus on the bike is not recognised by car insurers as relevant experience.
However, anyone who understands the danger in riding a bike would agree that experience riding a bike is more valuable than experience driving a car.
Are you trained?
I have completed the Hibernian ignition course that was run by the Institute of Advanced Motorists and have done several hours' pre-test training. I am also looking forward to doing the Garda Bike safe Assessment.
Have you done the bike test?
I failed my test last year and having waited 13 months for a re-test I was delighted to pass my test last month, without even a single fault!
Is your insurance costly?
It's €632 third party only. It came down €500 in one year, mainly because I turned 25 before the last renewal. Two other factors had a lesser influence on the reduction in cost - I got my full licence and I had five years no claims bonus instead of four. I don't drive a car because the best insurance quote I can get is €2,100 and I'm not going to pay that on top of motorbike insurance.
Do you worry about your survival?
Worry - no, but I would be concerned. Every day I get on that bike I am constantly aware of the risks and know that it could be my last day if I push the limit too far or not pay attention and be run over by someone else who isn't paying attention.
You have to be on your guard 100 per cent of the time. Keeping the risks to the forefront of my mind makes me a more vigilant rider but I'd never let fear take over.
What do you use your bike for?
Commuting to work - hail, rain or snow. The public transport where I live isn't satisfactory so I have to ride all year round. If the weather is too severe I may consider getting a lift half way and taking the DART the rest of the way but this takes so long it would only happen about three or four days per year. I also like taking the bike for spins up the Wicklow Mountains and I am hoping to tour Europe in the next few years.
Have you ever had any accidents?
In my first year biking on St Stephen's day on my way to work I went over black ice and came off at about 20mph. Fortunately I only limped away but all my good Christmas clothes were shredded and my new phone was smashed.
My family were brilliant that night and they all chipped in and put €100 in my Christmas cracker so I could get a new phone. Since then I haven't had any accidents except for damaging my ego once when I dropped the bike on ice just outside the driveway.
Do you follow motor sports?
Recently I've taken to following the Moto GP. I think it's amazing how skilled riders like Valentino Rossi manage to keep their bikes under control around the circuit at such speed. You've got to admire them way more than F1 drivers, as there's so much more at stake.
- PATRICIA WESTON