Frank Savino, teacher
Your bike? A BMW R11000R, 1999 model - I've admired its legendary quality ever since I was very young.
Why did you become a biker? Initially for the pure joy of riding a bike and, of course, because they are brilliant in traffic.
What do you use your bike for? Commuting, occasional holidays, Sunday spins and for any excuse at all. In fact, I don't like days that I don't get on my bike.
What was your first bike? I got my first bike in 1962, a Moto Guzzi Lodola Sport and I used it to race. I've always had a bike, riding a bike is a lovely thing to do - you have a live machine underneath you, it's not at all like driving a car.
Did you take any rider training? I did advanced rider training in Britain during the 1970s, which I ought to bring up to date.
What does your insurance cost? About €370 a year with Carole Nash, which I think is fair enough.
Do you drive a car? Yes, but I try to keep out of it!
Any family objections to your riding a bike? Certainly when I was young it was viewed with some doubt but now that I'm 60 years old there's none.
Any accidents? I've been thrown off various bikes down the road over the years, but nothing serious. I've never actually broken any bones.
Do you worry about your safety? No, I have great faith in my own invincibility!
Do you follow motorbike sports? I keep my eye on the world championships through the motorcycling press and I go to the odd road race in Ireland. I raced myself from 1963 to 1972 on British bikes. I raced on all the major road circuits at the time, like the Mid-Antrim 150, Tandragee and Carrowdore. They were much longer in those days than they are now. They were seven to 12 miles long and not as safe as they are today. My ambition was to race in the TT in the Isle of Man but unfortunately I never made it.
Are you a member of any motorcycle clubs? Yes, the Motorcycle Action Group (MAG) - they're terrific.
Taken the bike on any trips abroad? I've been to France and Britain but I have no round-the-world ambitions.
Do you think bikers share a special bond? We have a special relationship with our machines for sure. Riding a motorcycle requires a much higher level of skill than driving. There is also the fact that there is a slight "outlaw" element to biking.
Any bad experiences with motorists? Just the ongoing problem of drivers and their wing mirrors - they are either incorrectly adjusted or they just don't use them.
Any survival tips? Keep your wits about you at all times and no daydreaming.
Any biking issues for the Government? Insurance costs for younger riders are just too high. We should have permission to use bus lanes - a bike would never impede the progress of a bus.
Your dream bike? I'd love a brand new BMW, but I'd also really like a Ducati for Sundays.