Bernie O'Reilly, bank manager
Rides: Suzuki SV650s Electric Blue
Why this bike? It's a v-twin and the engine breaking is amazing. The torque is so great you don't have to shift down any gears to pass out a car, just open the throttle and away she goes - it could pull a trailer I reckon.
Why did you become a biker? I've always loved motorbikes, from when I was small, but I was only ever a passenger. I went to the TT in 2002 as a passenger, and when I came home I bought a CBR250. I love the freedom and open air and not being enclosed like a car- plus the great advantage of passing traffic jams.
How much is your insurance? €1,400 fully comprehensive with Carole Nash.
Do you drive a car? No, not particularly well!
Did your family mind you riding a bike? Yes, I got the usual 'four wheels are better than two' etc., but once my family knew I had done lessons and bought all the best protective gear they calmed down a bit about it. My brother-in-law has a BMW R1150GS and my boyfriend has the same bike as me, so I think my folks are happier in the knowledge that I do a lot of my driving with them.
Encountered any sexism as a female biker? Yes, yes, yes. Some people are great, they realise you're a female and give you the thumbs up and all that, but then you have the 'others' who see you are female and try to intimidate you off the road. I've encountered people trying to swerve into my lane on top of me and trying to cut me off in front, they also speed up and try to race you, or drive really close behind.
Do you worry about your safety? Yes. My motto for driving my bike is 'never trust anybody else on the road, either in front or behind'. There seems to be a large contingency of people driving on the roads today that forget to check their side mirrors, particularly the left one, also people over-take without checking their mirrors first - and this is lethal. I say this with regards to all drivers.
What do you use your bike for? I use my bike every day for work - driving from Navan to Dublin and back hail, rain or snow. I also have to attend a few meetings during the year that could be anywhere in the country and I would travel to these on my bike. It's my only form of transport. I think once you start driving a bike, it's impossible to sit on a bus stuck in traffic.
Ever had an accident? Yes, kind of. It was quite funny really. I was stationary when another biker (who shall remain nameless) was passing me out, he forgot he had a Givi luggage system on either side of his bike, and didn't take a wide enough berth - needless to say the bike and I got dragged along. I suffered a few bruises and some cosmetic damage to the bike.
Are you a fan of motor sport? I've been to a few road races in Ireland and the TT, but my greatest love is the Moto GP and Valentino Rossi.
What would be your dream bike? It has to be the SV1000 - I'm addicted.