My bike & I

Stephen Adams, Pipe Organ Services

Stephen Adams, Pipe Organ Services

Your bike? A Suzuki SV650S

Why this particular bike? Having ridden a Ducati for a few years, the Suzuki was recommended to me by John Elliot at the Italian Motorcycle Centre, and how right he was.

Why did you become a biker? Well, I started riding bikes at 16 and what fella at that age doesn't want a bike! Twenty-four years on they still beckon.

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Did you take rider training? No, and maybe I should have, but at this stage I must be doing something right.

How did you find the bike test? I passed the test when I was 16, and it was silly really because the tester tried to follow me in his car, and as it's your obligation to make "reasonable progress" he didn't see much of me due to the traffic.

What does your insurance cost? At my age, with maximum no claims bonus, it's cheap at €284 and that's for third-party cover only. I'm not one to cocoon myself with insurance for allsorts.

Do you drive a car? Yes, I have a lovely Opel Astra that returns 69mpg on a long journey - it's a very nippy turbo diesel. That's under half the fuel that the bike burns!

Do you worry about safety on your bike? Absolutely, bikes are very unforgiving. If someone as highly skilled as the late Joey Dunlop can come off badly then anyone can.

What do you use your bike for? Accessing difficult places where traffic is heavy and parking is difficult.

Had any accidents? I crossed swords with a Ford Capri on the Stillorgan dual carriageway about 20 years ago. The scar on my hip is a reminder of what not to do. The funniest accident I had was when my waterproof trousers got caught in the kick-start of my Yamaha in Bray about 20 years ago. I came up to the lights in a highly controlled manner, as one does, putting my right foot down only to find my foot was caught. It was very embarrassing.

Do you follow motorbike sports? No, I really don't think any connection between professional racing and day-to-day biking is wise. They are very skilled riders using specially prepared bikes with tyres specially chosen for the weather etc. on roads that have been checked beforehand. In the real world ordinary bikes and situations are rather different.

Taken any trips abroad? I went to France once. It was a disaster, I had a rear wheel puncture then my Triumph Trident 750 blew the head gasket and I had to limp home on two out of three cylinders.

Had any bad experiences with motorists? Nothing specific. Motorists are generally not alert so providing one takes that into account, then life becomes easier and safer.

Have you any biking issues for the government? I'm not being funny, but I haven't a clue. MAG Ireland does a lot of good and a lot of unseen work in this area, and we bike people are very grateful to them.

Any tips for survival on two wheels? The most dangerous manoeuvres are overtaking, especially a line of vehicles. Watch out for motorists who intend to overtake, or take a right turn unexpectedly, because it's quite possible they're not watching because they're either texting or talking to someone on their phone!