A CABERG DUKE II HELMET AND A YEAR’S EACH MONTH WE GIVE AWAY SUBSCRIPTION TO BIKE FOR THE MONTH’S STAR LETTER. ON YOUR MARKS
Easter fundays
I really enjoyed reading the When Easter Was Massive article on the Transatlantic Trophy Races (Bike, May). Our gang from Bushey used to go to the event for many years, camping at the tracks and loving the rides getting to them all.
I remember the year of snow, rain and sunstroke so well.
As Mat wrote, in those days access to the riders was easy after the races and they all had time for you in the paddock. The parties at the campsites were memorable too. Getting woken by the smell of bacon and the sound of the bikes cured any hangovers.
Our gang’s range of bikes was varied to say the least. It included a Morini 3 1/2 Sport, a KH250, a CB400F, an RD350, a Laverda Jota and a Norton Commando. Mine over the years were a CD175, an RD250 and an RD400. Thanks for the memories.
My tale of woe…
So I’m selling my 1998 Suzuki GSX-R750 SRAD and was contacted by a buyer who straight out of the gate starts trying to barter the price down, over the phone. Despite not succeeding he arranged to come and view, and when he did his dickering continued when he informed me: ‘its at the top of its money and you are asking dealer prices.’ I had done my homework and responded by advising him there were only five available at the time, online, with the cheapest at £3000 and the most expensive over £5000. I was asking £3850 for mine, which I think was a fair price for a straight, clean, never dropped, modified or abused low mileage bike.
His next play was to tell me that at this price he would expect additions or accessories. I counter with my bike is collectible and bone stock which is what the market wants. His next attempt was to claim the bike had been down the road as the outer edge of the silencer has a slight scuff. I tell him ‘no’ – I know the bike’s history, the full history. He then bounces the bike and wobbles it side to side. Why? Not a clue. Finally he asked if the chain is original, I say, ‘maybe’. ‘Aha,’ he says, ‘chains only last 12,000 miles and this one has
13,000 on it.’ (I missed the memo about that one and have used chains to well over 30,000). I tell him the chain is in good order, as are the brand new tyres, new sintered brake pads, battery, oil and filters. I am irritated at this point, but still polite and smiling.
And so the price negotiation started. His closing offer was £3400, I push the bike back into the garage. He tells me I have his number and can call him if I change my mind. His parting shot was an offer of £3500 and had he been reasonable with me I may have considered this, but now I don’t want to sell to this guy.
These days everybody is a dealer wannabe, and everybody thinks the way to haggle is to rubbish the bike they are trying to buy. The used bike market has matured, as have most bikers and I understand everybody wants to negotiate. Hell, we all want a bargain, but I don’t think passive aggressive quibbling is productive. Alan Harrison, email
Why Suzuki? Why?
In your April issue, Michael Neeves writes that a 2006 GSX-R750 was, ‘more exciting and engaging than most of the new bikes I’ve ridden of late’. Also that Suzuki’s masterpiece showed that an in-line four cylinder 750 with 135bhp and no electronics was, ‘all you needed to have the best time’.
Michael is so right. I have owned a 2014 version for three years and it is simply wonderful. And it’s not just me. Two other blue and white ones are seen regularly on my stretch of the A1077. Perhaps this will make it hard for the authorities to be certain who did what and when. But it clearly shows this type of bike has a following. As does the huge number of secondhand models of all ages for sale online. Why have
Suzuki decided not to modernise this very popular bike and to drop it from their range ?
Compulsory cams
After reading newspaper reports/ watching TV news following a road traffic accident, particularly involving a motorcycle, there is normally a request from police for witnesses to come forward and dashcam footage to be turned in.
The thing is if cameras were fitted to motorcycles as a legal requirement the process of assigning responsibility for any incident could be much easier.
Is it time for the authorities to face up to this?
Missing in action
In your excellent trip down memory lane with the Anglo-american match races (Bike, May) why was there no mention of Cal Rayborn who dragged an ancient Harley-davidson around the British tracks and won three out of the six races in 1972. He was my hero for that (and the fact that he let me sit on his bike in the paddock). Sadly, he lost his life in a tragic motorcycle race at Pukekohe Park Raceway, New Zealand in December 1973 on a 500cc Suzuki that had been hastily converted to run on methanol. He was an amazing rider.
Thanks for reading this. I am now 68 and have been a faithful reader of Bike since the very first issue hit the newsagents. Mike Hamilton, email
You’ve got to laugh… I’m an 85-year-old bloke with various medical problems all of which meant I had to get rid of my Honda. Feeling down? You betcha. Need a laugh? Too bloody right…
And then I read your Weird and Wonderful article about the 1956 Vespa TAP (Bike, April). Oh my word it’s the best laugh I’ve had in ages. I’ve no need to say, ‘keep up the good work,’ you already do that but, come on, give me more articles like that. The chance to ride something as outrageous as that Vespa, and use it in anger beggars the imagination.
Yours still giggling!