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Bike

My first bike was a Yamaha DT125.  I used this to pass my test in 1985, the two part one.  At the time I was also running a car so it was a few years before I bought an RD350 YPVS.  Excellent machine in a straight line.  But even with re-bushing the rear suspension the best I can say is that the handling was variable.  After owning the RD for six months I bought a brand new FZR600RR in 1995.  What a difference.  A pleasure to ride and my first real bike.  At the time the CBR600 was the No1 bike but after a test ride it felt a little small.  I'm 6'1".  I also preferred the styling of the FZR with it's twin 'Fox-Eye' headlamps.  

The last bike I owned was an YZF-R1, bought new in 2000.  The other option at the time was a FireBlade but the Yamaha felt best.  The Blades at that time had a smaller front wheel than the R1 and turned into bends too quickly for my liking.  I had some fun till wiped out by a car, not my fault.   My pelvis was broken in four.  Also had a broken femur, fractured spine + sternum and a collapsed lung.  I spent two weeks in intensive care a few more weeks in hospital  and many months in rehabilitation.  The team at St Georges Hospital in South London need a mention here.  Mr Bircher who reconstructed my pelvis/femur with titanium plates and screws enabled me to start my recovery.  The Physio team then aided me with hydrotherapy so I could learn to walk.  May sound daft but laying on your back for a long period with limited motion is weird to say the least.