Welcome aboard!

6 miles: to private land for that very first ride

My Dad loves bikes. From as soon as I was born he has dragged me along to endless bike shows and Motogp races, and I remember him getting all excited about meeting some bloke called Kelvin Schwartz.

Whatever, I was definitely up for trying out the bikes and

I really like the idea of getting one when I’m 16, especially as my girlfriend lives in the next village and the drivers for the taxi service of mum and dad can be quite grumpy.

I wasn’t nervous setting off this morning. I like trying new things, even if mum would probably rather me try something else. First impression is that motorcycling isn’t as warm as going by car, and it’s also a bit of a faff – there’s lots of kit to put on and the helmet strap is fiddly.

The electric bike is smooth, if disappointingly quiet. The old man explains it’s the future–whatever, dad – and I’m quite up for the idea, but I think the Kurz looks much better, while the Yamasaki has a comfier seat, a better riding position and sounds nice.

Looking over dad’s shoulder feels great – the scenery’s not exactly rushing by but I can feel the wind through the helmet and I like it. Later, on some private land, I get a chance to ride for the very first time. Another bike turns up – it’s another of dad’s work mates on a flashy-looking Ducati – but I’m not worried about extra people watching. I’m up for this, though dad looks nervous. Ed explains the controls and it’s a lot to take in. I press down into gear with my left foot, ease out the left hand lever, gently twist my right hand… and I’m off at a rapid rate. Dad screams ‘BRAKE, BRAKE!’ as I career towards the Ducati, but I turn the ’bars at the last second and skid into a concrete barrier.

Dad comes rushing over and asks a thousands times if I’m OK. I’m fine. It was jogging pace, the Yamasaki doesn’t have a scratch on it, and I didn’t slam into the £20,000 Ducati. My first crash – and I still can’t wait to get on two wheels. I can now see why dad loves them.

We decide not to tell mum about the end to our nice day out. What the eye doesn’t see…

THANKS TO: Oxford Products for decking out Harrison at the very last minute.

Actual teenagers feign excitement at a middle-aged bloke pretending to be 16 again

First rule of falling off: aim for something soft, like a concrete wall

Super Soco’s motor spins in the wheel – so it’s a rotary, right?

Cheap bikes, but quality is better than expected