Ray Murray - Advanced road and Racetrack instructor
What was your first machine? Z250c Kawasaki. My first racebike was a Suzuki RGV250
What attracted you to it? I was 17 and the Z250c was a motor bike within my price range so it was love at first sight. The RGV was the giant killer of its day, capable of taking on bigger bikes on twisty tracks and beating them. Unfortunately it was as reliable as the weather. Starting it was like pulling the pin on a hand grenade. How I used to laugh to myself as I picked the gravel out of my teeth because the bloody thing had seized again, mid corner, throwing me up into the elements. A Hebrew Prophet couldn't have predicted when it was going to lock up the back wheel.
How much did it cost? The Kawasaki was about £2,000. The Racebike cost me dearly. Anyone want to buy an exclusive collection of scored barrels and wrecked pistons? I also have a portfolio of X-rays showing various bones at several different stages of fracture. Lovely.
You current machine? ZR750 Kawasaki - and a GSXR600 race bike. The Kawasaki does 240 miles to a tank, is comfortable and reliable. The GSXR doesn't and isn't - although it has been fairly reliable. Undoubtedly the best racing package for handling, power and braking.
What did they cost? The Kawasaki was about £6,500. The Suzuki was part of a sponsorship deal. (Hello everyone in ThunderRoad Cafe!)
What did the insurance cost? The Kawasaki was £300. The race bike - ha!
What do you use the machine for? The Kawasaki is for commuting and instructing, doing about 25,000 miles per year. The race bike is used for - you guessed it - racing, and for track day instruction.
How much do you spend on gear? Absolutely as much as possible. Three cheap jackets will be outlasted by one good one. Everyone should spend as much as possible on a helmet. The price of a good helmet is the cost of living. I've gone through four helmets - AraiRX7XX - in the past five years. Each one saved my life.
Your next upgrade? Curtains and a leather suite - I'm building a house, God help me.