Non motorcyclist asks : Why do you do this ?

Non motorcyclist asks : Why do you do this ?

[@peerrrrrrrr]

One step below being able to fly is an amazing way to put it. She must be a great screenwriter, full of imagination.

[@80eightReviews]

Great to hear from you again and yes, Katie is very talented. Oscar material! All the best, cheers, Phil.

[@TheOmniscientAtheist]

I got a scooter 3 years ago with the intention of getting some roadcraft before going for my car test. Well, 3 years later (and 3 failed car tests later) I'm on 2 wheels with my Varadero and am loving life with no intention to own a car ever again. Katie is spot on about it being the nearest thing to flying. Every now and then I have lucid dreams where I'm flying around all over the place - It feels so real even though I'm aware that I am asleep. Riding a motorbike is definitely the closest thing I've experienced to that in real life. I don't even mind shitty weather, or the cold mornings messing around with locks and gear. It's hard to describe exactly but I just feel special when I'm on my bike, like I'm the main character. Really cool video idea, gets the cogs turning.

[@80eightReviews]

Good afternoon and many thanks for your interesting and thought provoking comments. What an experience you describe with those lucid dreams. That must be really something and then experiencing something similar on a bike. Incredible. Well, you certainly made the right decision. Glad you enjoyed the video and we'll try and think of some more to do, all the best, cheers, Phil.

[@timparry5028]

Totally agree with you about the meditation bit. When I ride my bike I think only about riding the bike. The road conditions the grip levels, road positioning etc. etc. Riding at speed intensifies that, but I too have slowed down as I'm now 64 and understand that I'm not as sharp as I once was. Also the connection with the enviroment. The smells just after it's rained, the wind, the cold, the heat. it creates a totally submersive experience. For what its worth!!

[@80eightReviews]

Hey Tim, good to hear from you and that's exactly it. When I was commuting to/from work on a bike, the ride home would always clear my head of any work related nonsense! Plus you can't answer calls :-) Ahh...the smell just after it rains...Yes, that's glorious! All the best, have a great weekend, cheers, Phil.

[@oliw3664]

Really enjoyed that. Glad to hear you are now over your accident, firstly. I love riding for the feeling of being in the zone, the control, the convenience, the getting through traffic and just being involved. Driving a car is like being in a box by comparison.

[@80eightReviews]

Good afternoon and many thanks for stopping by. I couldn't agree more...and the zone is just such a beautiful , serene place to be. All the best, hope you're doing well, cheers, Phil.

[@savage22bolt32]

So many reasons...❤ Sometimes as I see my driveway coming up after a ride, I go right on by, and do another loop around the outskirts of town.

[@80eightReviews]

Good afternoon Mr. SavageBolt - yes, if that happens it's a sure sign of something good...All the best, cheers, Phil.

[@simonthomas5367]

I agree with the freedom and meditation bit but for me its about the connection with the machine. Feeling the chassis, the tyres, the noise, the vibration, the wind. Being totally concentrated on the machine, the road, the risks. Finding that perfect angle on a bend. Riding just for the hell of riding and not simply going from A to B. Motorbikes are a drug and I'm a confirmed junkie! Every day, every season.

[@80eightReviews]

Hey Simon, good to hear from you and yeah, I’d go along with that. What’s the phrase “the journey is better than to arrive” ? Something like that - although I might make an exception for a cold, wet ride when my gear has leaked 😀 What the reason it’s all about feeling alive I guess. All the best, thanks for stopping by, cheers, Phil.

[@Stefan_trekkie]

Interesting thoughts, Phil. I am thinking about the same thing often. Bicycles are giving me more freedom, because anonymity and the sense that you do not need to pay fees, insurances, petrol, there is no number plate in the back to signal who you are... But I think on both bicycles and motorcycles, to be a bit in danger is part of the charm, the feeling of control as you said it. Also the cars are so many, it's just like shoes, everyone has them.

[@80eightReviews]

Hey Stefan, great to hear from you and yeah, I get the thing about bicycles...I love riding mine too even if it's a little difficult these days. Love the phrase "it's just like shoes" - very well put! All the best, cheers, Phil.

[@jaatam01]

Wonderful video! I think we all have tried to explain the “why” and for me, the answers has varied a lot from: It’s economical (no it isn’t), “freedom” (what the heck is that?) and so on. But I’ll adapt “one step below flying” along with “fully occupied doing nothing as a meditation”

[@80eightReviews]

Hey Jaak, ha ha yeah, the 'economical' argument never really works does it? I'm very glad you perhaps found something in the video that resonates...I'll let Katie know. All the best, cheers, Phil.

[@guzziman]

As Phil said it is a form of "Meditation" ... a form of knowing yourself, if you are alone in your helmet for hours, sometime few days, no music, no GPS, just you with yourself, you get to experience true meditation.. you get to know yourself, if you do it on a very powerful bike, you are likely too tense for that, want to make maneuvers, on the Guzzi which is my perfect meditation chair, the bike is "breathing" with you, pushing you to be calm, you just cruise one with the machine, a feeling you have to experience in order to understand

[@80eightReviews]

Good afternoon Guzziman, many thanks for stopping by and your comments are both eloquent and spot on. Love the phrase the 'bike is breathing'...I may have to borrow that at some point! All the best and hope you have a good weekend, cheers, Phil.

[@katievandyck4420]

Lovely.

[@chuckwilson2301]

I started riding a Honda mini 50 when I was 8 years old. I had a lot of fun riding it and I loved the feeling and freedom that I experienced. I stopped riding when I was 31 years old. I got too busy with life and career. Sold my bike and let my cycle DL lapse. Two years ago I restarted riding again. This time with a Cam-Am Spyder trike. I hadn’t realized that I had been missing a lot of fun not riding. It has been over 30 years since I last rode. I glad that I started riding again.

[@80eightReviews]

Hey Chuck, that's a really great story - many thanks for sharing it. It suggests that once the bug has bitten, even with the passage of many years, it remains in your bloodstream just waiting for the right time. I'm very glad you hear you're riding again also... All the best, cheers, Phil.

[@chuckwilson2301]

@@80eightReviews Hello Phil, You are right, once that bike riding gets into your blood stream, you are hooked for life.

[@stuart4024]

What an amazing lady !

[@80eightReviews]

Ha ha I'll let her know Stuart! All the best, cheers, Phil.

[@Dreddingbath]

I can't wait to meditate this weekend.

[@80eightReviews]

Ha ha, and you and the world will be much better for it. All the best, cheers, Phil.

[@simoncollins6529]

Riding my Bonneville T120 through Sussex countryside is as close to flying a Spitfire during the Battle of Britain as I'll ever get. Riding my Daytona 955i is like flying a fighter jet.

[@80eightReviews]

Hey Simon, great to hear from you and well, you can't do much better than that can you? I think my V7 is probably a Sopwith camel :-) All the best, cheers, Phil.

[@kramnam4716]

Yes . Forces you to concentrate. Be present. Flying at ground level. Exactly. The noise , vibration, Jinba ittai ( horse and rider as one )

[@80eightReviews]

Be present, that's a good phrase...As always good to hear from you, have a great weekend! Cheers, Phil.

[@katievandyck4420]

Really like that. Horse and rider as one

[@S1000xrhp]

Performance, manoeuvrability and the active, physical & mental involvement demanded in controlling the machine brings about that feeling of serenity. Riding a bike is a far more immersive activity than driving a car as you are operating an unstable machine and balancing the forces of gravity, speed and grip. It is undoubtedly far more difficult to operate a bike than drive a car, more uncomfortable and at greater risk of accidents due to road surfaces and pot holes. It takes a higher skill level to navigate these challenges successfully which generates increased levels of competence and satisfaction. All of that can be condensed into one word. Fun.

[@80eightReviews]

All very true and I’d probably add a great sense of personal achievement in doing something well. All the best, great to hear from you again, cheers, Phil.

[@sbrooks5683]

Brilliant! The existential 2-wheeled question. Why? I struggle with this constantly, because every rational response I can conjur concludes that I’m crazy. In my most honest self analysis tho, it’s the competition: me, wind in my face, immensely enjoying myself against the weighted odds that it’ll inevitably one day result in horrible pain and suffering. Alas, I keep beating the odds. And I keep riding. And smiling. Katie is brilliant. And so is Phil.

[@80eightReviews]

Hey Stephen, Good to hear from you again and it's excellent to know that you are beating the odds, keeping riding and smiling. Each of us have our won reasons I guess and I suspect they sorta overlap in many ways as I totally get the personal competition aspect - just wish I'd thought about it - such is the nature of conversation! Glad you enjoyed the chat, we might do another one in a bit. Katie is great - she makes me up my game as she's much cleverer than me and can speak 'proper' :-) Cheers, Phil.

[@mattmcdonagh9611]

I love this comment.I love the the comment about rational response and completely agree with the conclusion. I'm nearly 70 now, love my VFR 800, and will keep riding until its impossible for me to keep going.Also, riding motorcycles has been the best decision I have ever made, and I also hope to keep beating the odds to enjoy the years ahead of me on two wheels!

[@80eightReviews]

That’s great to hear Matt! Cheers, Phil.

[@brockett]

Motorcycling is a whole body experience and despite the safetywear, I feel in touch with the environment as I pass through the sights, and fragrances of the countryside as it changes with the seasons. An awareness of the road, it's undulations and surface construction are all fed into whatever part of my brain that I use to control the machine. The feel of the engine, no not just the raw power because many if not all engines feel and behave quite differently. Years ago, riding a two stroke 125 across the country to visit relatives every few weeks with the engine singing along the A-roads. Lugging a sidecar around with a 500cc single as it thumped it's way around the London suburbs with occaisional to trips to the seaside. A Harley, a Kawasaki 900 RS ,a Moto Guzzi V7 etc. These are all so very different each with it's own gift of pleasure that nothing else can provide. Fast cars meh! luxury limo's meh ! 60 years of motorcycling and I still love it. No screeching tyres, or roaring exhausts or roundabouts with the right knee on the road. Just me, inside my crash helmet, being free.

[@80eightReviews]

Afternoon Dave, how are you doing? It's really good to read your memories of bikes and experiences past...I can't imagine riding an outfit around London! And that's certainly an interesting mix of bikes you've had. I' also think that anything with two wheels and an engine is fun - aside from the ones that try to kill you. I had a right laugh commuting on a CG125 one year as my winter hack as it was great fun in the snow. Just you, in your helmet....It's the best, Have a great weekend, cheers, Phil.

[@katievandyck4420]

Love this.

[@marcbrasse747]

“One level below being able to fly”. Spot on. Even in a literal sense. For me the 3dimensional aspect is very important. Even the lightest corner provides a feeling which is akin to soaring. 👍

[@80eightReviews]

Good afternoon Marc and great to hear from you. Yes, 'soaring' is a very good word to use. I'll borrow it if that's OK! All the best, cheers, Phil.

[@marcbrasse747]

@@80eightReviews No problem about the borrowing. Nobody owns the truth! 😁

[@80eightReviews]

@@marcbrasse747 Ha ha appreciate that!!

[@katievandyck4420]

Nice.

[@nivelan]

Started watching your channel out of a vague interest in the ADV 350, your reviews of which are peerless. But I'm hooked now. You always have an interesting angle, and this is no exception. The only thing wrong with this video is Berwick isn't in Scotland 🙃

[@80eightReviews]

Good afternoon and many thanks for stopping by - really appreciate your comments. it's funny you mention that about Berwick - when we first moved here and went to get a mortgage at least three banks insisted we were in Scotland!!! I just used to say, "listen it's not 1723" :-) The ADV is cracker and it was brilliant on my little tour of Europe - more details coming soon. All the best, cheers, Phil.

[@oliverleifadams2003]

I think between you in a few minutes you’ve covered rather a lot of motorcycle philosophy extremely effectively. Hats off, both. V7 always looks good too.

[@oliverleifadams2003]

Motorcycle Meditation has a grest ring to it. Mindfulness done right.

[@80eightReviews]

Thanks Oliver, well, it was all a little random but having the V7 front of centre always helps. Good to hear from you and thanks again, cheers, Phil.

[@thewoodster8607]

I also like that a motorcyclist can approach another and just begin talking about anything and it's not weird. 😂

[@80eightReviews]

That's very true! Great point and thanks for making it, all the best, cheers, Phil.

[@dbonillab]

Loved it! Great casual conversation

[@80eightReviews]

Thanks very much David, glad you enjoyed it and thanks for stopping by, cheers, Phil.

[@johna6968]

Its taken me a while but now becoming a very cool channel of choice.

[@80eightReviews]

Hey John, thanks very much - that's really nice to know. All the best, cheers, Phil.

[@martindavies8326]

If you have to ask the question, you’ll never understand.

[@80eightReviews]

Perhaps not Martin, but it's an interesting curiosity driven question thats worth thinking about I guess. All the best, cheers, Phil.

[@findingneutral]

Katie is an amazing person. Her down to earth attitude coupled with open mindedness towards biking makes her super cool 😎 👌. What a great dialog between you two. The points shared and your riding insight from before and now make so much sense as to why we ride. I too had my accident and gave it up for 10 years. I never stopped missing it. I started over on a Honda Ct90 and Monkey. Basic is like going back to the beginning as you said, but you survived so you have that 'if I knew then what I know now' knowledge. And that in my mind has made you and I alike safer riders from here out. Katie was very on point with the 'closest thing to flying' theory. A Monkey bike rider here in the states summed it up well too. He said going on a Monkey bike ride is like a mini vacation each time. And a Monkey is super basic, yet you still get the fun factor and can keave your troubles behind for a bit. I'm thinking your Moto Guzzi would be that, but more wow factor. CRF and ADV350 as well. You chose each of your bikes to your exact description of how you ride now. Brilliant.

[@80eightReviews]

Thank you very much Mr.Neutral - wise and insightful comments as always. I'll let Katie know. Small, simple, easy and going back to basics are things we forget when we get obsessed with 'gear and stuff' and as your fellow Monkey rider so rightly says, 'every trip is a little vacation' so true. In times of hassle or stress, simplifying things always works. Have a great day, cheers, Phil.

[@1990-t1j]

I initially got a motorbike in December 1971 because: 1 I wanted independence and adventure 2 My father didn't want me to buy Stuart Platt's Lambretta Li 150

[@80eightReviews]

Hey Nick, yeah that Stuart Platt and his Lambretta - that would have been a world of trouble! Number 1 is exactly it. All the best, cheers, Phil.

[@davidmallia628]

I would not say one step below flying, but one step abreast flying. I have always felt this. It even gives you more freedom when compared with flying, because aircraft pilots have to comply with air traffic controllers, every bit of the flight. instruction, every

[@80eightReviews]

Some very good points there David - I hadn't thought of it like that. Now, if we had wings it would be different - although, then bikes would be out of the question. It's tricky! All the best, cheers, Phil.

[@davidmallia628]

@@80eightReviews Cheers! And by the way, I agree totally with the rest of your analysis as to what mental stimulation, and peacefulness, a bike can give. Not much very one can comprehend it. Salute!

[@80eightReviews]

@@davidmallia628 Cheers David, have a great evening!

[@80eightReviews]

@@davidmallia628 and cheers!

[@davidgibbings6085]

I had a Honda cab 50 j , they did them in blue 👍

[@80eightReviews]

Morning David, Hmmm...Could be...I'll find a picture somewhere and run identify parade and see what happens. Thanks for the suggestion, cheers, Phil.

[@JLOSTAFF1]

Does it matter why? If it feels good do it! And boy, the feel good never goes away for me, even on a Mash! 🤣

[@mrsilbo6499]

How much did you pay all those 'extras' to keep walking in front of the camera, Jon?

[@80eightReviews]

Is the Mash still with us? I thought it was at the bottom of a lake?

[@80eightReviews]

50p / extra

[@mrsilbo6499]

@@80eightReviews It would've been, except unfortunately, the 'chaps' in the floating hot tub fished it out. And offered Jon a space in the tub afterwards..

[@JLOSTAFF1]

@@80eightReviews You and Hugh will be at the bottom of a lake if you don’t watch yourself. Us Mash riders command respect you know!

[@michalnemsak7886]

Is it just me or is the audio the other way around? Had to turn my headphones to hear you both from the correct side :D but anyway... great video! It's always nice to hear a conversation of two people who respect each other's way of life.

[@80eightReviews]

Hey Michal, ooh...I'll check...I'd thought I'd balanced it but maybe I didn't - sorry about that! Anyway, glad you enjoyed it despite having your headphones round the other way! All the best, cheers, Phil.

[@michalnemsak7886]

@@80eightReviews No problem at all. I actually don’t know if I went mad or it was on my end. Maybe just a mono setting on the mics would get rid of the confusion. But it wasn’t a bother at all.

[@80eightReviews]

@@michalnemsak7886 I'll check it out - both mic's were on mono but I may have dropped them on L/R stereo tracks! I'll check for next time!. Cheers, Phil.

[@soshsiB]

Nice video 👍🏼 that question I am asking myself from time to time as well. And my answers are quite similar to yours 😅 Cheers 🍻 and always a good cookie 🍪

[@80eightReviews]

Good to hear from you again and thanks for the comments - glad you enjoyed it. It's actually quite a difficult thing to explain but a good question to consider as it can sort of take you back to how it all began and what's really important to you as an individual. And always a good cookie :-) Have a great weekend, cheers, Phil.

[@soshsiB]

@@80eightReviews actually, I compare riding a motorcycle like riding a horse. Exposed to the elements and Wind in your hair, elevated from the ground … embrace life by enjoying the landscape/world around you. Queasy if I would be born 300 years early, I became some sort of knight, horseman… 😅😅😅

[@80eightReviews]

@soshsiB Some of knight 🤣🤣🤣🤣 Brilliant!

[@spurgear4]

When i was younger I thought biking was a great replacement for flying, now I feel the opposite.

[@80eightReviews]

Hello Brianne, great to hear from you...Well, I'm kinda jealous now! All the best, cheers, Phil.

[@kramnam4716]

Honda Melody? Express?

[@mrsilbo6499]

Camino?

[@80eightReviews]

I'll try and find out but as you can tell there's not much to work on!

[@80eightReviews]

I'll will see if that rings a bell...watch this space!

[@DavidSkidmore-e5t]

Well Phil brilliant stuff... wuda been quieter filming on Houston rail station....😜😜😜🤣🤣.......

[@80eightReviews]

Afternoon David, ha ha, yeah I know - it was quiet five minutes before then all of a sudden millions of people appeared. I think it added to it though! Glad you enjoyed it David, all the best, cheers, Phil.

[@drdoolittle5724]

Nah, used to fly all the UK but the boredom killed it whereas biking, keeping one step ahead of the grim reaper/maiming/castration, all sort of nasty things awaiting, but what bloody good daily fun keeping alive!

[@80eightReviews]

Mr. Doolittle...I couldn't have out it better myself. That's exactly what it's all about! As always, good to hear from you. All the best, cheers, Phil.

[@TheDervMan]

Speed and freedom attracted me at 16. These days it's more about the state of mind while riding and being out with friends. Weirdly speed has no appeal anymore. Random fact: I really detest loud pipes, they just irriated people which leads to stricter legislation.

[@zootius]

Yeah loud pipes irritate me on a bike if I'm riding it - when I'm in the countryside , I want to hear the countryside.

[@80eightReviews]

Hello DervMan, hope you're doing well and yes, I couldn't 't agree more. If someone tells me "loud pipes saves lives" then I always figure they are not riding correctly. Quiet / stealth is best. Have a great weekend, cheers, Phil.

[@80eightReviews]

Absolutely, so right. All the best, cheers, Phil.

[@katievandyck4420]

State of mind. LIke that.

[@SomewhereInside]

You appeared to have edited the opening shot there were ghost trails , wondering how you did that?

[@80eightReviews]

Hello again! If you mean the odd reflections of the cars, the vertical band coming up from the bike and/or how the people are passing by and looking a little blurry and glowing...That's all as shot amazingly enough. Basically the sun was right overhead and while Katie and I were in the shade, anything in front wasn't and with a wide angle lens, you gets of odd refractions and glares and things - they even show on the original footage. It's probably something also to do with the fact I shoot at 25 frames / second which again will provide some natural 'ghosting' compared to 50/60 frames per second. Normally, I'd try and avoid this but it worked well in this case! Hope that helps, cheers, Phil.

[@stanleylawson9015]

enjoyed that Phil

[@80eightReviews]

Thank you very much Mr. Lawson - have a great weekend, cheers, Phil.

[@tymobyrne4451]

Why do people smoke crack? Doesn't seem like a good idea until you do it and get hooked...lol

[@80eightReviews]

And you get your bike from a dealer!

[@tymobyrne4451]

@@80eightReviews Starting to make sense, now I need another hit of hauling ass...lol

[@TheTypeRTheory]

Cus its fun.

[@80eightReviews]

Absolutely!

[@riffafrank]

Nice

[@80eightReviews]

Thanks very much Francis, hope you're doing well, cheers, Phil.

[@riffafrank]

Hi Phil. We're doing pretty good here. I still enjoy my CRF 250L love it. Have a great day buddy.

[@glideman]

It’s funny what men think what women are thinking when they’re looking at bikes compared to what they are actually thinking 😂 As far as speed goes I’ve just turned 60 now and as you know I’m recovering from an accident like yourself which does make you think about speed in a different way 🤦‍♂️ I do remember though when I was 16 and looking for a new bike I would look at the amount of money I had and look in the magazines to see how fast that money could get me, didn’t care about comfort, handling, reliability or anything else 🤣 Great video Phil as usual 👍

[@80eightReviews]

Ha ha yes, there's a rather larger gulf I reckon! I know exactly what you mean about being younger and wanting to get as much power as possible for you $$ It was the same with beer at the age also! The best thing is, we're here now, accidents not withstanding, and appreciating what we've got in perhaps a more considered way. It's a good place. Glad you enjoyed the video and hope the recovery is going well, all the best, cheers, Phil.