Currently B1's seem undervalued given how daft prices have gone on other older bikes now considered to be modern classics. I was looking a mint/stock fully original, low mileage example not so long ago at sub £3k and found myself thinking it would be nice to have sat in the garage for occasional road use, even easier to justify when it may even appreciate a little over time.

If more than occasional track use was intended, as nostalgic as I am about the B1 my choice would be the P8, I didn't realise how much my hamfisted riding used the slipper on track until I borrowed a B1 for a session after a few years of being spoiled on litre bikes all fitted with slippers. Always thought the P7/8 would be a really fun track bike, not ridden one but I would expect it to be fairly close to the Triumph and Yamaha which both came a good few years after the B1 and are better bikes.

I would expect ridden back to back today the P8 to be a better bike, it was just an evolution in a world that now had the Triumph 675 and was well used to the R6 2co/13s meaning it didn't have the impact of the B1 which in 2003 which felt like a giant killer, faster and more exciting than it had any right to be given that it could match the V-Twin litre bikes of the day as well as many of the older gen litre fours.

I used to do a lot of road riding on sportsbikes around our local roads. Local knowledge meant some great rides where you really could enjoy stretching your bike in relative safety, well out the way of everyone else and with very minimal fear of a nicking. In the 90's people were less inclined to go to a trackday as they could ride straight out their own garage and let rip. Full leathers, latest superbike, riding like I'm racing was pretty much the acceptable norm for many. I never went out on the road feeling that I was in any danger back then. A golden era, one we were so lucky to have been able to enjoy.

Times have changed. The amount of extra traffic on the roads seems to be multiples of what there was 15 years ago. My area has seen a massive boom in population meaning the roads are just all so busy now. The rapidly growing transport industry to move the food processed by all of the extra people in our area has put streams of extra lorries onto our roads, all in a county with no motorways and very few dual carriageways. Quiet back roads which were once like our own well maintained deserted TT circuit are now bumpy subsided, busy main routes.

We now have a huge amount of aging drivers, foreign drivers, people distracted by phones/tech, drink drivers, parked cars everywhere. Loads of cyclists, invalid scooters, pedestrians staring at phone screens stepping out and god knows what else to contend with. Streams of Lorry drivers 24/7 refusing to give way at roundabouts and junctions, using shortcut roads which they are too heavy for, damaging roads and peoples properties or slipstreaming each other to up their fuel figures etc. To top all of that the roads are all so totally ruined by those lorries and with such a disgusting lack of maintenance you could very easily hit a pot hole big enough in so many places to have you off. There is not a drain cover that isn't sunk down so far that it would have you over the bars even at slow speed or random pot holes and heavy subsidence everywhere. To add insult to injury in the rare instances you can find anywhere it actually is safe to ride at any kind of pace there will be a camera van, unmarked car, average speed cams etc to take the easy pickings.

Would love to have a road going sportsbike tucked away at the back of the garage for an occasional balls oot blat but fear I wouldn't make it home alive if I was daft enough to press on a bit. So many roads just out of town from where I live were once a Superbike playground but nowadays I just don't know where I would dare to ride a superbike other than on circuit.

I've not ridden a bike for about 4 years, never expected this would ever happen. Thought riding was in my blood and something in me for life.

In the past I couldn't imagine me ever being ok with it having lived and breathed bikes for so long. I have been riding since I was a kid on field bikes, onto 125's on L's early 90's all the way through to litre bikes on the road and track. I've lost count of how many trackdays I must have done, I'm guessing at 80+. Over a 25 year period there was never I time when I didn't own at least one bike, often I had 3 or 4 in my garage and even kept a few inside the house!

My second house renovation forced a break from riding, this place was far more ambitious than I had done before so I wasn't expecting it to be easy. I also didn't expect it to tie in with a difficult period at work or break a valued long term friendship I was reliant on to help me with the project. As I wouldn't of had time or money to ride them, nor anywhere to store them securely all 3 of my bikes were sold and put their money into the project. I did the same with my treasured Lotus too. Plan was to replace them when the build was complete. This never happened as the house took far more time, money and energy than expected, I've only very recently got myself a replacement nice car which is more of a do it all daily than a sports car. House is mostly done and has been for some time now, its a great home for our family and after a lot of pain is now something I'm very proud of, especially given the many obstacles that had to be overcome.

After so long out I've realised that I don't really miss the riding any more, I really miss tinkering in my garage with the bikes, but most of all I miss the people, the friendships and the social side. I still have all of my kit, pretty much everything but a bike and the van to transport it. I've a nice big garage but nothing to play with in it. Maybe I should sell the kit I have left but it makes me feel better to have not let absolutely everything go just incase.

I don't see myself getting another road bike, I went track only in 2008 after being involved in a pretty horrific fatal accident and track riding is now quite a daunting thought after so many years away. I was also never really talented enough to ride as well as I would have liked. No matter how I tried, with a lack of talent, fear of injury, a job to do, bills to pay and a family to feed I just didn't have the required confidence to push any harder on track, meaning riding was maybe becoming a bit stale. With loads of experience and some very nice bikes, at best I hung toward the slower end of the fast group and these days had I of continued I'd probably struggle to even be there as I would expect the TD pace has gone up another notch by now.

A trackday or Euro trip was always a great excuse for a mancation with a group of great people, for me that fun and camaraderie was by far the most appealing thing. From the preparation, to the banter, to the trip itself. Over time the riding became secondary, I just loved playing with bikes and going on a bloody good jolly. I still have a huge interest in bikes and follow the biking media and some of the racing, although less obsessively than used I to. Bikes have given me some of the best times of my life so how could I not still have a love even without riding! I hope to get to some circuits and visit some trackdays or race meetings again very soon, I guess I'm still a biker, just one that no longer rides.

Will have to dig out some pics of mine. It was in green, bought back in 2004, think it was a less than a year old bike at the time. Fairly standard, I think I added an Akrapovic and link pipe, PCIII, LSL rearsets, Steering damper (cant remember what type), wavy rear disk, tinted screen, tail tidy, braided hoses etc. Managed ok with the stock suspension with a bit of twiddling, the lairy handling was what made it exciting! Ridden on the road with one or two track visits during the year or so I had it. Think that year was the most road miles I have ever done in a year as I used it as transport as well as for fun, preferring to leave the car at home.

I just remember it seemingly went like fook, was flighty, exciting and a world more fun than the pretty but boring Ducati 748 I had before it and much more modern than the Srad 600 I had in '98 which sent me mad with its carb icing. I chopped the B1 in at Taz in 05 for a brand new ZX10R, more of the same only even dafter!

After I had been trackday-ing a while, must have been in 08/09 I had a loan of a mates very trick B1 and it handled amazingly on its WP suspension but wasn't as exciting as I remembered (maybe fixing the suspension made it faster but less dramatic) and by then I had been spoiled with litre 4's, all with slipper clutches fitted. Looking back at all the bikes I have owned its still the only one that I gelled with the first time I rode it and wish I kept a bit longer.

B1/2's I remember on here are the Orange one made famous by Dale Lomas of PB and now ring taxi fame which HP bought and clocked up loads of miles, Danny from Faster by design had a trick one if I remember right, Foo had a black one with flowers. I remember Vidals track bike with some trick bits which was later painted white and was owned by Emma for a while.

Looks like a good excuse for a visit to Brands, currently off work that weekend so will do my best to keep it free.

Well done folks

Looking forward to Seeing a Seton Yamaha bike back on the BSB grid at Brands this weekend too

My mint 05 road going 10R. I owned it from new for 8 years. That thing thrilled me, scared me, got me out there on some crazy days with great friends. It saw me through good times and bad. As I got into track riding it became a bit of an ornament as I used my numerous track bikes much more but it still gave me pleasure seeing it every day and getting out for the odd road blast. I only sold it like I did all three of my bikes as I desperately needed funds but really wish I could of hung onto it for life.

With the outgoing model still being so good it can get away with being more of an evolution, and all the changes enhance what was already a very good bike. On paper it looks like they have brought it somewhere inline with the R1 rather than going one larger.

For the same dollar my money would still be on the R1 but if it was only a fraction cheaper I would save some money and not felt like I had compromised. Still love those aggressive looks and will be interested to see how the electronics compare to Yamaha's. Think it's still going to be a good un, only disappointment is that it's not as radical as I hoped for.

Looked at the empty space in my shiney new garage where at least one bike should be stood

The Akra full system that I have seen has a pretty ugly looking can, not what I would have expected from them. I would expect it makes some good gains but it would be a no from me on looks alone. The can only option Neevsy has looks nice enough but retains the cat. If the Arrow full system is just too loud and needs a baffle to get it on circuit losing most of its gains then I can't see the point. I've not seen anything from the well known high end brands that I really like for the new R1, I'm surprised that Arata have not come up with anything yet as their stuff is usually even nicer than Akrapovic, maybe they are struggling with noise too so have not put anything out.

Likewise if i was lucky enough to be in the market the Seton system would be a no brainer as it looks good, is quiet enough and still makes the gains. I've no doubt that the backup will be great and in the event of any damage it can be refurbed at minimal cost. Would probably be able to have it updated if it is developed further in the future. So far seem to be the only manufacturer to clear the cat, make the power gains and pass UK trackday noise tests. Someone from one of the big players will soon be buying one to chop up to understand how its done!

When Moz initially suggested Pipewerx I was surprised but you cant deny that it gives a good solution for a sensible amount of money while removing the cat. Agree its sensible for road and occasional track use where you don't want to go too far modding the bike as you may wish to return to stock. Would be interesting to see how it noise tests and what sort of dyno figures come from it before/after a reflash and if it can still make strong gains while still within the allowed TD noise limits.

You thinking of a two wheeled comeback Terry?

S1000XR is an odd looking bugger but after seeing the BVG review it looks like a whole lot of fun for a sit up road bike.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dKksfzmJSVw

Its a real shame. I feel gutted for those who have paid so much upfront and may struggle to get it back. People have scored points in the championships and have committed to putting bikes out there and pleasing sponsors. Dave an Karen must be gutted, they must have lived and breathed the business in its TD and race series forms and must feel really bad about the whole mess. I guess with the big numbers that have to be put on the line to organise these events must make it difficult for all but the circuit owners or someone with a big buffer of money to balance these days. Shows how No limits have done well to balance their books when everyone else has struggled to make a living running in the UK.

The Hottrax paddock had a great atmosphere, was friendly enough to be fun but serious and competitive enough to be a respected National series. I certainly enjoyed my time there supporting Mark and Dave and was hoping to get back over to support at a few rounds when I get my free time back.

Hope that when the dust settles the folks who have time and money tied up in turning out for the season can get themselves straight and that there are places for them to all race elsewhere.

Wonder how long before we see MSV club level championships as from the outside it looks suspiciously like they want to take back and run their circuits themselves rather than through middle men.

The standard master cylinder was shocking on that model, must only get worse with age. I'm surprised anyone still has the standard one fitted as with a bit of spirited braking the lever came back to the bars on both mine and my mates. Replace it with something second hand from a more modern bike or ideally something nice from Brembo, Magura etc.

The standard calipers are not brilliant and plenty of people changed those too but are still good enough with a decent M/C and hoses.

If you want a turn up and ride package it limits your options. If you just want to turn up and use the schools bikes the choices have in recent years been Ron Haslam, CSS and Chris Walker at Mallory. Dates for all of these and the amount of tracktime are more limited than a full trackday where you use your own bike and just book instruction.

The very best tuition is someone like Spike Edwards booked one on one but you need to arrange a trackday, then supply your own bike etc unless you hire from FE or on NL or MSV run events possibly use Smallboy trackbikes who's bikes are a little older but cheaper to hire and crash than FE's!

Simon Crafars Motovudu is as good as it gets but I don't think he does UK dates, Good excuse for a trip abroad though!

James Whitham also does training days and sells vouchers on jameswhitham.com but you need to sort or have your own machine.

Focused Events could likely put a package together which would include bike hire, trackday and instructor such as some 1 on 1 sessions with Neil Hodgson or a celeb rider of a similar calibre. Would all add up to a few bob if bike hire is required though.