Paul Taylor's review of 2016

By Paul Taylor

platinum_paul ex-BikeSocial Production Editor turned freelancer. Worked in bike industry for 15 years, gets fatter and slower every year. Unhealthy obsession with Honda C90s, top boxes and small bikes.

Posted 22/12/2016 08:52 UK

To celebrate a memorable year in motorcycling, each day this week a member of the BikeSocial team takes a look back at their personal highlights of 2016. Today it’s the turn of our production editor Paul Taylor to share his favourite things from the year gone by.

Best bike I rode

I must be getting old, but Triumph’s T100 and T120 Bonnevilles really hit the spot for me. I’m done with going fast and showing off and these are just lovely to look at and so relaxing to ride - the perfect Sunday morning machines. I’d take either, but being a thrifty Scot I’d be more than happy with the cheaper (and every bit as good) T100 I reviewed in October.

Product of the year

Much as I despise the whole hipster scene, the revival of the Bell Moto 3 is most definitely a good thing in my mind. It was the helmet of choice for my speedway idols back in the Eighties and I'm hoping to find a big cardboard cube containing one under my tree on Sunday. At almost £280, I'm not holding out much hope though!

Best sporting moment

Has to be the Czech Grand Prix, which started with John McPhee (pictured below) becoming the first Scottish Grand Prix winner in over 50 years and ended with Cal Crutchlow ending Britain’s 35 year winning drought in the premier class. A magical day.

Our winter retro bike group test was cold, dark and pretty grim at times, but proof that a bad day on a bike is better than a good day in the office, especially when you're with your mates

Paul Taylor

Best BikeSocial moment

Our winter retro bike group test was cold, dark and pretty grim at times, but was also proof that even a bad day on a bike is better than a good day in the office, especially when you're with your mates. It was top few days riding with the full BikeSocial team and made for a brilliant feature and video to boot.

Scariest moment

Being invited to KTM’s ‘fun’ RC390 Cup media event in Italy and arriving to find myself sharing the track with a bunch of ex-racers who hadn’t lost that competitive spirit. #outofmydepth

Low spot

Scumbags nicking my beloved Honda C90 on Ride to Work Day.

Looking forward to…

The new British Moto3 team that’s been formed for 2017. Brilliant to see a proper route into MotoGP for our most talented youngsters.

Ambition for 2017

To keep loving motorcycles, getting my old Ducati 750SS back on the road and finishing my tricked up Honda Z50R monkey bike project.

VIDEO REVIEW

Watch Bike Social's Paul Taylor's video review of the 2017 Triumph Bonneville T100. Filmed by Beach Media.