Your first machine? I'm still on my first machine. It's a red Suzuki gs500e. I bought it from friends in the Delaney bike shop on Harold's Cross Bridge.
Patrick J Doyle - IT manager, Mount Carmel Hospital
What attracted you to it, and indeed motorbikes? I've always loved the look and sound of motorbikes. I nearly bought one about four years ago but was talked out of it - they where said to be too dangerous. I went looking for a bike and told nobody this time. I know the guys in the bike shop through my diving club. They recommended this bike because it has a big frame - I'm 6'4 and wanted a bike that would carry me. It also comes restricted and is in a cheaper insurance group (6). I had only seen it in the catalogue but really liked it.
How much did it cost? £5,000 in January 2001. I've seen a few around Dublin. I also found lots of internet sites and fan groups for this bike all over the world.
What did the insurance cost? It had just gone from insurance group 9 to group 6 over the Christmas period that I bought it. It cost about £650 for the first year and €600 for this year.
What do you use your bike for? Mostly for commuting to work. It takes me about 18 minutes to get to Churchtown from Ringsend. Before that I used the bus and it would take me an hour and a half!!
How much do you spend on gear? My Cordura suit which I bought when bike was new cost £300. Boots were £40. I bought my leather jacket at the Birmingham bike show last October for £300 sterling. My leather trousers , a birthday present, were €400 - and boots to match €for €200. My helmet was £150 - and a spare helmet was £75. I have three pairs of gloves - from £50 to £80. My lock chain and disc lock were £75.
What's been your longest journey on the bike? I spent about three hours one day going around the Wicklow mountains. I had taken a day of work and really enjoyed myself. Most of the time I just headed south and west, until I thought I had gone far enough. On the way back I ended up in Johnny Fox's, had a 7Up and went home.
What is your next bike likely to be? I hope to get either a Honda vfr800, Pan Euro100, or fjr1300 next . . . which would start at about €€11,000.
Is there anything I would like to change in motorcycling in Ireland? Yes, we need a direct access course and more encouragement to new bike drivers to get proper bike training.