About

Three and a half years ago I brought this blog to WordPress. The original idea was to talk about the Gilera DNA but what happened was that I talked about other scooters, small bikes and related vehicles from the point of view of someone who believes the Gilera DNA 180 is the pinnacle of powered two wheelers. Sadly the DNA (180 and 125) have been out of production since 2003 and the remaining bikes on the street are showing their age and becoming hard to maintain. Unless Piaggio suddenly turn round and release say a Gilera DNA 200 and there’s no reason why they shouldn’t, (except that they won’t because “there’s no market for them”) then I think it’s time to move on. This means no great change to the blog because I wasn’t blogging DNA’s anyway: this is just a change in perspective.

I now plan to use the blog to campaign for better lower capacity motorcycles and scooters in the UK. A 200, 250, 300 or 400cc motorcycle is not sad or second class it is a practical, important mode of transport which needs to be marketed properly and supported by dealers and manufacturers. The UK culture of big sportsbikes or nothing is mistaken. Other countries lead the way where economic or licensing circumstances produce a market for the sort of bikes I am talking about: examples are Brazil, India, Australia and Italy. Honda are a good example of a manufacturer who have a good range of lightweights which are only available in special markets, which I would like to see here. They can expect special venom from this blog.

Readers will in practice not see much change in content. There is a new focus, header and title. The popular Aprilia Mana secion remains and the Gilera DNA sections are pooled together on one page. I get about 300 hits a day on this blog and I hope future readers will be able to support my new direction. Let’s roll…

About Me

I’m 45 and passed my bike test about 12 years ago. I’ve owned a bike most of the time since then and for the last 5 years have commuted to work at least twenty mile a day, all year round. I live in North West London, UK. These are the motorcycles I have ridden:

• Gilera DNA 180
• Yamaha SR 125
• Yamaha Teo 125
• Piaggio Beverly 125
• Suzuki Bergman 400
• Peugeot Speedfight 100
• Piaggio X9 250

You can email me at: