Today, I have been on BCF for 10 Years!

[The Tot]

Well, it's very rare that such a momentous occasion has arisen!

Needless to say, when I signed onto this site 10 years ago to this very day, I didn't realise the amount of crazy personalities I'd meet, the jokes adventures I'd be having, and generally, the great banter.

I have to admit that the forum has changed a LOT over the years; we've seen many an interesting character entertain through the decade, and some, who have tragically lost their lives doing the thing that they like.

Anyway, I don't want to do a Teflon Mike here, so I'll let the pictures do the talking. MY BCF Biking History over the last decade... over 100,000 miles or so.

2003 - 00' Piaggio NRG Extreme

When I joined, I was an unruly 17 year-old pedboi on a derestricted machine, blasting out Blink182, New Found Glory, Bowling For Soup and Simple plan. My best buddy on the forum back then was Binge!

This was a hand-me-down from my dad. I crashed it many a time and flipped it. Yeah I was a ped-boi, but I didn't really cry and say "it wasn't my fault" whenever I stacked it or hit other road users! It was all part of the learning process, and when you were a riled up pubescent kid in college, it was freedom... especially when you first hit 50mph, whilst realising you were holding people up on the A41!

https://scontent-a-lhr.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xpa1/t31.0-8/10353530_10152496914330712_6317251947493281366_o.jpg

2004 - '04 Honda XR125L

Then my old man got me this for my 17th, and that's when I started showing my faces to the old BCF Reading Clique! We had a nice little crew from Northwest London back then - Claude14.7to1, 89CBRChris, SmotoBob, Goose.

https://fbcdn-sphotos-d-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-xfa1/t1.0-9/196205_4491370711_8020_n.jpg

Did a few Ace Cafe runs for kill spills, and infamously went on the Mayday run in 2005, where I nearly took out 2 riders... Simple and Davo I think? I went straight on over a roundabout or something on the way to hastings!

I was renown for my ridiculous stoppies and backfires; one of them coming out of the Ace Cafe under the arches. I had never ever seen a Ducati 916 rider THAT pissed off before in my life! My rear pirelli was inches away from his Arai!

Yes, Korn DOES exist! THIS is when I thought BCF was a family! (Better than that Real Biker Nobs page on facebook!)

https://scontent-b-lhr.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xap1/t1.0-9/1010463_10152243667280712_453787195_n.jpg

https://fbcdn-sphotos-h-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-xfa1/t1.0-9/188915_4491095711_9603_n.jpg

2005 - '94 Kawasaki ZXR250C

I went to Uni and thought, "Sod riding a 125!" I couldn't find a ZXR400L for what I could afford, and knowing that I didn't want to spunk all of my student loan on a new bike, I sold the XR and traded up to a ZXR250! All you A1/A2 category boys and girls will never know what it's like to ride a PROPER 250cc 4 stroke! This one went to 18,500rpm!

https://scontent-b-lhr.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xpf1/t1.0-9/199525_4491350711_6720_n.jpg

So, had many an adventure on this little gem, Clarissa. One of them involved me running out of fuel on the M1 heading back down to London to see off my parents, who were emigrating back to Indonesia. I hadn't realised that it was going to guzzle more fuel than anticipated, and didn't realise that it was already on the reserve tap! Had to push the bike a mile on the hard shoulder in the dark, until a FireBlade rider came across, saw me in distress, and offered a push. Had his foot on my pillion peg pushing me til the next junction and onto the petrol station! He buggered off before I had the chance to offer him some petrol and fags! But I'd never forget that moment!

As per usual, I crashed it within a few weeks of owning it. I lost the front end on a roundabout whilst getting my knee down. I didn't know at that time, but it was right outside a quarry!

So, it soon got treated to a new paint job

https://scontent-b-lhr.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xfa1/t1.0-9/183235_4491155711_2177_n.jpg

Various trips included a trip down to Cornwall and the south coast. Went to party with Binge and Dambuster for Dam's 18th, and it all picked up from there. Those boys were considering getting 400's back then!

Best thing about the bike? Keeping up with 600's and litre bikes because of the insane corner speeds you could carry! I'd get another 250 IL4 4 stroker any day if they came up!

2007 - '96 Kawasaki ZX6R F2 Ninja

Unfortunately, a lack of spare parts meant that my bike was no longer serviceable. So a saturday night session ensued after I sold the bike and I went off ebaying! I got myself a ZX6R from not too far away from where I currently live! Again, I got this thing for a £1200 and had quite a bit of fun with it.

https://scontent-a-lhr.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xfp1/t1.0-9/189909_4492790711_4287_n.jpg

https://fbcdn-sphotos-b-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-xpf1/t1.0-9/199446_4491510711_9724_n.jpg

Nothing special, but when you're 19 and riding a supersports, it was great! Had an indicated 150mph out of it, and times were fun! You kids these days have no idea what you're missing out on!

I did like touring on it though! This involved an undergrad placement in Scotland. So, that's me moving all my stuff from my aunts!

https://fbcdn-sphotos-f-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-frc3/t1.0-9/229612_5673530711_851_n.jpg

An unfortunate series of events struck, again involving a roundabout! Slid my bike on a sheet of diesel and technically totalled the bike when it went side-on into a car!

End result was a new set of body panels, a new engine and full titanium exhaust system! Replaced the rear shock whilst I was at it. The engine went a few months after getting the panels back from the shop. The air filter had gone and I didn't heed my mate's advice. So, cue me ingesting a LOT of dirt, grit and dust from the paintshop! Living on the coastline of Edinburgh didn't help.

Was a great bike to muscle about, and I had fun embarrassing born-again bikers on their flash toys!

But this was the last parting shot of the bike before I flogged it for £1000.

https://scontent-a-lhr.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xaf1/t1.0-9/1978_59883965711_9459_n.jpg

I'd happily get another ZX6R!

2009 - '00 CBR929 RRY FireBlade

After being without a bike for 2 weeks, I started getting a bit itchy. I saw this Cat C FireBlade with 13,000 miles going for £2400. I offered £2000 for it, and he took £2300 including delivery from Yorkshire. Considering it was snowing, I didn't fancy a train ride up and having to ride the bike down in winter, so it was a steal!

Wasn't fussed about what bike I had, so long as it was a litre class and under £2500!

https://scontent-a-lhr.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xfa1/t1.0-9/2227_64132125711_1394_n.jpg

First thing I did on the thing was find an airstrip and see how fast it would go. 175mph on the clocks... happy with that!

Scratched and toured many a time with the boys from the Loughborough Uni Motorcycle club, and it toured the country nicely.

It was my primary vehicle whilst I was on the graduate scheme, so like its predecessor, it toured nicely!

https://scontent-a-lhr.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xpa1/t1.0-9/31148_434070230711_4897682_n.jpg

Mind you, I rode the thing a LOT harder when I was at uni, but was nowhere near as smooth as I am now. The Blade is SUCH a finely balanced machine on the B roads and back roads!

Yeah, it went down a few times and the issues I've had with it are well documented, but the thing ran on neglect whilst I was travelling around the country for work! It lived outside in the snow, and had to run 8000 miles between services. No wonder it went through 2 alternators, 3 rectifiers, a load of wiring loom issues, a set of front brake disks and other stuff! After a while, claiming 40p a mile on business trips, I was able to sort the bike out. £600 later, I had the suspension revalved and rebuilt by HMRacing, and set up for B-Roads by Perry Leask. To this day, it handles like a treat!

So now, you know it as MarcoBlade

https://scontent-a-lhr.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xpa1/t1.0-9/12749_10152307280910712_630358901_n.jpg

https://scontent-a-lhr.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xpa1/t1.0-9/10153870_10152535900985712_5784943638344703211_n.jpg

https://scontent-a-lhr.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xfp1/t1.0-9/10441229_10152537496935712_8408849178617901941_n.jpg

She's ticking over 46,000 miles now. But, I wish in the previous 5 years of ownership, it lived in a garage where I was able to fettle it on a weekly basis!

2014 - So what's next?

Well, the mountain biking bug has hit, and I've spent a lot of time on the trails. But, considering my bachelor lifestyle and the toys I have, it won't surprise me that I'd be getting myself an aggro downhill rig AND maybe another FireBlade? 06 CBR 1000rr maybe? Joys of having 8 years no claims and a clean licence means that any litrebike is less than £200 to insure!

One thing is for sure! Before the year is over, I'll be hitting up the trackdays because I feel that I'm taking liberties on the road! Sure people who ride with me know that I'm smooth, progressive and safe, but I can't capture that buzz I used to have when I was 17-19 on those smaller bikes! Blame growing up, or blame the switch to mountain bikes. Either way, as long as there's BCF, and the fam, I'll be here to stay!

Safetings bros and keep it rubber side down, sunny side up!
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The Tot 2019 Z1000SX - 2007 R1
Never argue with autism

[The Shaggy D.A.]

Wooo, 3 days before me. Where the hell has the time gone?
____________________
Chances are quite high you are not in my Monkeysphere, and I don't care about you. Don't take it personally.
Currently : Royal Enfield 350 Meteor
Previously : CB100N > CB250RS > XJ900F > GT550 > GPZ750R/1000RX > AJS M16 > R100RT > Bullet 500 > CB500 > LS650P > Bullet Electra X & YBR125 > Bullet 350 "Superstar" & YBR125 Custom > Royal Enfield Classic 500 Despatch Limited Edition (28 of 200) & CB Two-Fifty Nighthawk > ER5

[The Tot]

Where has the time gone?

Babysitting all these young oiks! Back in MY DAY, we got "restricted" licences, and bought the first 600 you could buy! Or in Wave2k's case, a K1 Gixxer 750!

There was a moment in time when my generation were all rocking litrebikes!

Wave had his SP1, Binge had his R1, Big Ham had his RSV... those were good times.

We then went onto cars! RX8's, 350Z's, MX5's and Celicas!
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The Tot 2019 Z1000SX - 2007 R1
Never argue with autism

[Ste]

33bhp licenses were awesome, I kinda feel sorry for n00bs these days with mod 1, mod 2 and much more restrictive license categories.

[delsol]

Made a nice change reading that

[Fisty]

And you still ignored me at Prescott.....
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Quietly and consistently taking the piss.
TL1000R | Hayabusa | ZXR400 | TL1000S | Bandit 400 V
Fatter and faster than Fret

[CaNsA]

Not a single BCF sticker anywhere

Part-timer.

[stinkwheel]

12 months before he buys a slow, shitty bike (like an enfield) and rides it more than the blade.

Comes to us all.

EDIT: Also cool picture. Looks like a boss!
https://scontent-a-lhr.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xpa1/t1.0-9/31148_434070230711_4897682_n.jpg
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“Rule one: Always stick around for one more drink. That's when things happen. That's when you find out everything you want to know.”
I did the 2010 Round Britain Rally on my 350 Bullet. 89 landmarks, 3 months, 9,500 miles.

[The Tot]

To be fair, my next mountain bike will probably be worth more than the blade! Current full susser can't take the big 3ft+ drops! The headstock has started to creak!

I think new tyres and trackdays are on the cards!
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The Tot 2019 Z1000SX - 2007 R1
Never argue with autism

[steveh]

Christ that made me feel old! i think i joined around the same time as you, at about the same age, on a moped, then progressed rather rapidly into things that cost me much more money!

I admit i had a moped on the road at 16, and it was one of the best times of my biking life, 20 odd idiots buzzing around town doing silly things, i always get a little envious when i see hordes of lads tearing around doing nothing but trying to go faster than there mates. ah, simple times.


I think it should be a rule, that all time served BCf'ers should make a post after 10 years?!


Steve.
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Current : 06 Zx10r, 07 Wr450f SM, 74 850 norton commando, 63 bsa b40, 1962 Triton 650, 67 Triumph Tr6r, 1955 Triton 750, 1978 TY250E.

[MarJay]

STFU N00b.
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British beauty: Triumph Street Triple R; Loony stroker: KR1S; Track fun: GSXR750 L1; Commuter Missile: GSX-S1000F
Remember kids, bikes aren't like lego. You can't easily take a part from one bike and then fit it to another.

[Doovy]

Ahh, they grow up so fast
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Yamaha RXS 100 > Honda CD 250 > Honda Hornet 600 > Honda CBR 600RR > Yamaha RXS 100 > Kawasaki ZX6R J2 > Yamaha FZ1

[Ste]

[dodsi]

Aaaah the olde restricted licence.

did anybody back in those days actually have the bike restricted for any amount of time?

[Ste]

My TL1000 was 33bhp for a couple of miles.

[ride_to_die]

That was a good read

I bought the 250 off you if you remember?

It was an awesome bike, redlined at something like 20k.

I sold it 6 months later 'cos I'd been offered a zx6r for peanuts. Last I heard it had been exported to Cyprus.
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I'm not here for a long time, I'm here for a good time.

[The Tot]

You got that ZXR250 for a steal! £400! It would have probably kept costing me that over the years! 250s/400s are going for silly money now, because the people who want to ride them, are paying over the odds to relive their teens!

Dodsi, Ste, we all did the good old BCF thing of getting a "certificate" and forgetting to put the restrictors in! Wave's 750 was most definitely NOT 33bhp!

We could get away with it back then! Litrebikes by 19 were the norm!
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The Tot 2019 Z1000SX - 2007 R1
Never argue with autism

[Ste]

My ZX6R was never 33bhp... 106bhp was a lot of fun for a seventeen year old who'd been on the roads for 6 months! I was stopped by a bike cop who thought it was the largest bike I could ride until I was 21... I didn't bother to correct him.

Litre bikes by 19? 18 for me.

[The Shaggy D.A.]

10 years today on BCF, I really should take more photos.
____________________
Chances are quite high you are not in my Monkeysphere, and I don't care about you. Don't take it personally.
Currently : Royal Enfield 350 Meteor
Previously : CB100N > CB250RS > XJ900F > GT550 > GPZ750R/1000RX > AJS M16 > R100RT > Bullet 500 > CB500 > LS650P > Bullet Electra X & YBR125 > Bullet 350 "Superstar" & YBR125 Custom > Royal Enfield Classic 500 Despatch Limited Edition (28 of 200) & CB Two-Fifty Nighthawk > ER5

[Jrod]

I joined just after you.

The forum was great back then, even if I was a bit of a tw@t!

[The Tot]

You still got your ZXR Jordan? All I remember from that era was the hastings run!
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The Tot 2019 Z1000SX - 2007 R1
Never argue with autism

[steveh]

[The Tot]

Wait what,

THis video?

Yeah, that was on my ZX6R after I fitted the remote start... which STILL required my key to be in the ignition mind.

Either way, it was a nice gimmick to have. And the alarm didn't do too badly.
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The Tot 2019 Z1000SX - 2007 R1
Never argue with autism

[Clanger]

The 'Oh Noes'...I completely forgot to mention my 10 year anniversary of my being on BCF. All thanks largely to Zimma. RIP chum, it's all your fault! We can blame you, as others can blame me
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Be who you are and say what you feel, because those who mind don't matter, and those who matter won't mind - Dr. Seuss

[Fnatic]