Dave Brunton, roofer
Your bikes? Honda CBR 600 and a race spec Honda CBR 600
Why these machines? I like Honda because they are very reliable and I've never had any reason to fault them. A friend of mine once said that the CBR 600 was the best bike ever built. I suppose that's a matter of opinion, but I have to agree with him.
Why do you like biking? Because of the feeling of freedom you get from a bike that you don't get in a car. There is also more skill required to ride a bike. Most of all I think it's from watching the Moto GP and road races as a lad, and seeing those guys do amazing things on bikes.
What do you use your bike for? Anything I can. I like to take trips around the country with friends and sometimes I just go out on the bike for the sake of it.
Did you take rider training? No, to be honest I was riding well over a year before I got training. I wouldn't recommend taking this route. Bike training has certainly saved me from serious injury or worse so far.
Do you drive a car? The company I work for provides a company car, but I'd much rather be on the bike, regardless of the weather. I manage about 15,000 miles a year on my bike and I'd rather be doing more. Having said that, I'd be lost without my van for getting to and from race meetings!
Was there any family resistance to your riding? Yes, my father had bikes during the Sixties and Seventies, and he rode with a bunch of lads whose number one priority wasn't safety. He had a serious accident and nearly lost his leg so he wasn't too keen on me taking up biking. But the draw of two wheels was too strong for me, and once I got my leg over I was hooked.
Do you worry about your safety? Yes I do, and I think bikers in general should. It helps to keep you on your toes. I wouldn't say I lie awake worrying about it, but it's certainly at the back of my mind.
Had any accidents? Yes, I've had a few. They were mainly while I was racing. I have been lucky and I've avoided serious injury. On a number of occasions on the track I've been a little over-enthusiastic and found out that using my head to break my fall was not a good idea! I've also gotten to know the gravel traps at Mondello a little better than I would have liked.
Do you follow motorcycle sports? Yes, I love watching the awesome sport. Having done some circuit racing I hope to move on to the roads soon. For me the Manx Grand Prix would be the ultimate goal, but that's a dream for the moment.
Any tips for survival? Assume everyone on the road cannot see you, because there's a pretty good chance they can't or won't. Get trained up by a recognised instructor, and also work on improving your riding. Wear protective motorcycle clothing, even when the weather is warm, because if you have even a minor accident you'll be very glad you did.
What are your dream machines? I'd love a Pan European for long trips abroad. I'd like a BMW GS 1200 just so I could say 'I have a beamer' and I'd love the insane Yamaha R6 for racing.