MARK HEYWOOD

I bought my first motorbike as cheap transport to work and my mum said "You'll kill yourself in a month!". Well, I survived the first month and I was hooked! I passed my test and rode as far and as often as I could, exploring my ever expanding surroundings while gaining valuable riding experience. I passed the advanced riding test the following year... This was my first "big" motorbike and I loved it! I was lucky as a colleague was emigrating and needed to sell it fast. I wanted it but couldn't really afford the price. The day before he was due to fly out, he phoned me and said "turn up with £500 and it's yours!". I passed my advanced riding course on this and clocked up around 36,000 miles a year!... I had the GSXR750 first but it was stolen. As I had a tour planned, I bought its big brother, the GSXR1100. This was a beast of a bike, with what seemed like limitless power yet surprisingly agile, flicking through the bends like a middleweight. Most of my Euro trips were aboard this..