My bike and I

Lloyd Moore , computer program manager

Lloyd Moore, computer program manager

How many motorbikes do you have? Three - a Yamaha XJ900, a Suzuki DRZ400 supermoto and an Aprilia RS250. Each serves a different purpose - the Yamaha for long journeys, the Suzuki for commuting and the Aprilia for spins at the weekend, but only when it's dry.

How did you become a biker? I've ridden motorcycles since I was 14 years old. I've held a full licence since I was 17. It was a natural progression from riding a bicycle. Motorcycles give you a unique sense of freedom and are very exciting to ride.

Did your parents object to you becoming a biker at such a young age? Yes, my parents were very much against it. In the end I just bought a Honda 50 for £7 from a friend and rode it on a disused railway line near home.

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Have you taken any rider training? No, but I've passed the UK Advanced Motorcyclists Gold Award scheme.

What does your insurance cost? About €1,000.

Do you drive a car? Yes, a 1994 Corsa that I've owned for seven and a half years. For me a car is purely a utility vehicle.

Bikers are more vulnerable than car drivers. Do you worry about safety? Yes - as you get older you value life much more than in your teens when you just wanted to go as fast as possible. With experience and training I've learned that it's essential to ride within your limits and be very aware of your road positioning so that vehicle drivers will see you. It's also extremely important to anticipate what drivers are going to do. However, it's easy to get caught out as I did when I was overtaking a car in a queue and it suddenly turned right into a pub car park without indicating. Luckily I was travelling slowly and wasn't injured although the petrol tank on my bike was badly damaged.

Any accidents? One or two - I fractured my femur when I was 17 years old and my collarbone when I was 20.

Any tips for survival as a biker? The important point is to position yourself on the road where motorists can see you. When coming up behind a motorist, move into a position where he or she will either see you in the main mirror or the door mirror. It's also very important not to sit directly behind a car in case it stops suddenly - and it's dangerous to overtake on the inside.

Are you a fan of road racing? Yes, motorcycle racing is the sport I love but at the top levels it has become more of a business than a sport. I don't follow real road racing anymore because I've become disillusioned with it over the years, having attended so many events where riders were killed or seriously injured. I still follow track racing and attend at least two Grand Prix every year.

Have you had any experience of fellow bikers helping you out in a crisis? On my first trip to France, the rack holding my top box broke off completely and I was faced with the prospect of having to abandon it with all my clothes. However, a French biker stopped and managed to tie up the rack with his bungee straps. I couldn't speak French and he couldn't speak English. He wouldn't accept payment for the straps but just smiled at me and said "good job" in broken English and gave me the thumbs up.

If you won the lottery what bike or bikes would you buy? I'd upgrade the 900 Yamaha to a Yamaha XJR 1300 and I'd try and find myself a Yamaha RD400 like the one I owned when I was 19. It was just great. Other than that I'm happy with what I have.