The dangerously-loud-multi-coloured-rust-bucket. Or The ARK as it is known due to its numberplate. Or even 'You Bastard' when it breaks down, which thankfully has only really occurred once in the past year.

Anyway - I write this to follow up on Cane's bit about his shiny new CBR600. Mine's not shiny. It's not new. But Oi loves it.

I only started this ere motorcycling lark in the summer of 1999. A life long ambition was realised. And I did DAS. Christ, 50mph on an ER5 scared me then. Anyway - I managed, by some stroke of luck, to borrow a GPZ500 off a mate who also had a CBR600 - 91 vintage, sadly stolen last year, twice. Didn 't get it back the second time.

Anyway, I digress - I rode this for about 6 months on and off over the winter of 1999/2000. I wasn't very keen on the winter riding a year ago. Anyway, a foolish notion took me to buy a bike of my own (my wife thought it foolish anyway) - so I looked around for a Bindit or a Fazer or something sensible like that. But in my heart I still really wanted a CBR after Grumbly Old Knowles (the mate in question) had let me play on his. Joy!

And Lo! It came to pass that a certain Mr Greystrong on the NG advertised his brother's CBR600 for sale on the group. I could just afford it, so the dastardly transaction took place halfway between Leeds and Colchester at my parent's house in Leicestershire.

That first ride back up to Leeds following the wife in the car was great. Got used to the bike over the 100 miles through the country and up the M1. Got to Leeds. Took a different route home from the wife };8) Ye gads - I was in love with this bike.

Anyway - I've had the old heap a year now. What do I think?

Well - lots of power - but only if you keep out of that nasty hole around 4500 to 6000 revs. This means there are two modes of riding - pottering below 5500 revs. And getting silly above 7000. As the rev counter rises up to the silly level with the throttle open, you suddenly feel the engine breathe in through the whole, then blow out with enough power to yank your arms. Me likes. Although it takes some to catch up with two lunatics on his and hers matching YZF750s (you know who you are)

Handling is a dream - even more so with nice new BT010s as footwear (Ta Bear - they do rock!) - the old Macadam 100 on the back did not give me confidence - although last summer I did almost get my knee down.}:8) I have a Micron carbon race can on. It's loud. But fun. The traffic know I'm coming. So does everyone.

The paintwork is dodgy - purple, pink, black and blue. But you gets what you can when you can. And anyway - if I go fast enough it all blurs into white. The gearbox is a little temperamental at times - false neutrals as I change up when giving it beans. Only had to replace the rectifier so far. Cam chain seems to be holding out, despite the fact that it's done 25000 miles now - reaching the time when the cam chains go on CBR600s so I'm told.

Rust is developing in patches - hardly surprising for a 7 year old bike that has been used throughout the winter - despite hosing down at regular intervals. And this CBR is pre-alloy frame, so that doesn't help. Not had any problems with the Datatool Veto Plus alarm on the bike. Has worked fine so far (touches wood)

The scottoiler is a godsend for the terminally lazy like myself - although I think a new chain and sprocket set is in order this year. As are new downpipes. The originals are giving up - but apparently micron do a stainless pattern set for a reasonable price. Brakes - pretty good, except that I think my front disks are a little warped.

Christ - this all sounds bad doesn't it? I admit I get a little paranoid about things on the bike and have to get other people to ride it occasionally, but this is just my over developed sense of self preservation colliding with a biker's natural tendency to be paranoid about what the little two wheeled death trap is doing between their legs. };8)

Anyway - CBR600? Top bike. Love it to bits. Trustworthy, pokey, comfy etc. But perhaps next time I will get something with a little more bite (raaaarrrrrr!). Or maybe a Super Blackbird CBR1100 - now they look fun. And the wife said they look nice. I guess we could put little MooseMatt in the tankbag for family outings.