What was your first machine? Yamaha 125DT - when I was 11. I used it off-road until I was 15.
What attracted you to it? When I was 11 there was nothing more attractive than a motorbike.
How much did it cost? I made a deal with my mother. If I got As in school for a year she'd buy me a "scrambler". By the time she realised a scrambler wasn't a BMX, it was too late. I ended up a swot with a £250 Yamaha.
What's your current machine? Honda ST1100 Pan European.
What did it cost? €4,000, including a jacket, boots and free advanced lessons from the head of the Irish Rider Training Association - he sold me the bike.
What did the insurance cost? €1,200 (at Carole Nash).
What do you use the machine for? Going to work, tours and quick blasts around Wicklow. It's very comfortable.
How much did you spend on gear? Helmet €200, waterproof touring jacket and trousers €300, gloves €40, thermal underwear/socks €30, balaclava €10.
Next purchase? Gore-tex boots - on a freezing wet day my cold toes drag the enjoyment levels down.
What's your next upgrade likely to be? Maybe a GSX-R, only my back and wrists will fall off after two hours. An 1800 Goldwing would be good for long distances, but I'll never get it through traffic. So maybe a 916. I need something quick, that handles well if it's twisty and can carry two people and luggage long distances in comfort. And I need to know it won't let me down or need constant maintenance. So it'll be another Pan European.