Motorcycles was a concession to the old lady when we married some 43 years ago. She'd lost a good friend to a bike accident and, if I'm honest, I've had a couple of mates grievously mangled in wrecks over the years. In hindsight, she probably saved me from a similar fate. I pined for a crotch-rocket which, around here, seems a one-way ticket to Boot Hill. Never had any interest in the "cruiser" bikes, just something that would go insanely fast, even if best suited for straight lines only.

I recall years ago reading a piece by Tom Wolfe detailing the exploits of the "sidewinders" out in California, one of whom described riding a V-8 powered motorcycle as being as close to flying as one could get without wings. Yup, sign me up.