From bike to car... maybe

Hi Nick. Go for it I say. I almost got a bike and decided on an MX5 and boy am I glad I did that. It’s great fun and quite addictive looking for one. Don’t rush into it though, I’ve Had a Mk2 and Mk3 in the last couple of years and although I’ve loved them both I still wish I’d got a Mk1! Hopefully in time I will. Good hunting and it’s a great club.

Hi Nick, I’d suggest you look for a post 2009 car which has already been converted by BBR with a turbo or by Corten Miller with a supercharger otherwise you may be disappointed with the performance compared to a bike.

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Hi Nick

I too gave up biking after more years in the saddle than I want to admit to. My first bike was a 1963 125cc BSA Bantam given to me by my parents on my 16th birthday and my last was a Yamaha FJR 1300, complete with blues and twos. I can tell you that nothing, absolutely nothing equals the thrill of riding a powerful motorbike, but I can also tell you that when I now drive my MX5 I get that same stupid big grin all over my face. So if you do decide to go down the MX5 route, ENJOY.

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Just by way of an update, I have made an appointment to visit EMG Mazda in Cambridge next Saturday to test and hopefully purchase a shiny new MX-5 Sport Tech in Eternal Blue. I plan to SORN the Street Triple until next spring when I will have a go at riding again.

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Hi Nicholas, hope things go well and yeah keep your options open for a return to two wheels

…well done, I am sure you will enjoy it. Will never be the same as your bike but good if you can keep both options open! You may find the “less hassle” of the MX over the bike offers some advantages…ie just get in an go without the need to dress up…

Will you be testing both 2.0 ltr and the 1.5? I tried both and actually preferred the 1.5, both will probably feel slow compared to your bike but don’t rule out the 1.5.

…let us know how you get on!

I am going to be testing the 2.0 litre, as it will be the only car I own it will be my daily driver too and I think the larger engine would be better for longer motorway runs.

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@Street675R Something like this then… Great car, great colour. This one is my 5th 5! I have also been a biker since the age of 16 finishing up with an R100RT. Occasionally tempted to go back however I just need to jump in the 5 to get over that.

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Hi and Welcome
Like a lot of club members ,I’m an ex Biker, I rode Bikes for over 30 years, from touring Europe to being a Dispatch rider in London, great times, sold my last Bike some years back, but was always looking at sports cars, particularly the MX5’s , and as our sons have now grown up we picked up a 2006 MK3 last Autumn , lid down at every opportunity even in Winter, just turn the heater up, and your bathed in warm air blowing up , just need a hat!
A great sense of being out in the open, wind in the hair and all that, highly recommended.
Enjoy your new car.

Boz

@IanH What a beautiful looking car! I have never seen one in the flesh, but having combed YouTube for everything MX-5 related the blue looked like the one to go for.

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Great colour… get in there!

Slight change of plans, I tested a Soul Red MX-5 Sport Tech this afternoon and loved it! It was going to be a demonstrator but I was the first person to drive it and decided I wanted to buy it, I pick it up on Friday morning at which time I will become a Bone Fide member of the club! Just need to go to the club store to get the jacket and a hat.

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Very nice you’ll love it . I’d totally forgotten what fun driving could be until we bought our 30 AE last year . Driving had become about Ato B and and picking things up . We have had a few Mazda 3s and when we took it in for a service last year we saw the little orange rocket , and almost on a whim we bought it . I’m so glad we did ,every time you drive it is an event, it feels special, a feeling I thought had gone when I was a teenager driving a MK 1 Ford Escort

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…love it!!!..great colour as well. We got a dark grey one and in hindsight wish we had gone with red. A great car regardless and I am sure you will enjoy it…have fun!!

While your there buy a mechanical arm that waves to other 5 owners…i’ve been ignored 5 out 5 times today.

P.S. sorry, forgot to say ‘nice car’.

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Im giving you a virtual wave , just so you don’t feel so bad :wave: :grinning:

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You can still go ride-outs with your biker mates…

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@999to5 Very true, but I still have a bike as well. Trouble is the MX-5 has given me a grin so wide I don’t think I can get the crash helmet on.

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And the MX5 can carry more beer than a bike…
as shown by the Motoring_Nomad in his recent post

As far as bikes are concerned, I started with bikes when I was 16 and was lucky not to kill myself. Had always wanted bikes and have bought various bike mags each month for years. However having had a Ducati and done 8 miles on it in 2 years, I sold it. I did do some track days on a Kawasaki ZX7RR, I found that you are trying to go as fast as you can and whilst the speed and freedom are great, I always felt that on the road I had a big target on my back. I therefore got rid of my biking clothes and got rid of the Ducati (should have waited a few years- they are worth quite a bit now). I use my MX5 as much as possible and when I want a biking fix, I book onto a Mick Extance day in North Wales. For £220 you get a full day out on a bike in the Welsh hills. You do not go quick, but it is great fun and always a great bunch of people there. I have been about 7 times now and always have fantastic fun.

However I do appreciate that many people love biking - as do I, but self preservation stops me from going out on the road now.

And in summary, I love bikes, but would not use it, I like my MX5 and use it all the time…IMG_9706 MX5 - 2

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