UsernameKate’s favourite scooters and superbikes

Bikesure ambassador UsernameKate, AKA Kate Ralph of Bolton in Lancashire, reveals her favourite scooters and superbikes to ride.

And her advice comes with huge experience because the rising YouTube star has held sales roles for some of the world’s top bike brands such as Harley-Davidson, Ducati and, since March 2020, BMW.

For anyone that knows me, you’ll know I don’t discriminate when it comes to things with an engine (or battery!) and two wheels. I’ll tackle anything from a scooter to a superbike which leads me swiftly onto our topic of discussion.

Here are my top three scooters followed by my top three superbikes!

UsernameKate’s top three scooters.

I have so much love for a scooter… why? They’re practical, nimble, easy to whip out the garage, great commuters and usually pretty cheap to insure! So without further ado…

1. BMW C400X

This bad boy is a scooter that completely changed my perception as to what makes an excellent commuter.

Some of you will know I have the pick of the litter at work as to what demo bike I can take home for an evening and if the scooter is available, you can be sure my bum will be sat on it at 6pm, leaving the building!

Why does it make an exceptional commuter? The riding position is like riding an armchair all the way home. It has heated grips and heated seats to keep my cold parts toasty. It has a lovely, clear dash and it’s brilliant for weaselling through the hectic Manchester commute. That’s why it gets my vote.

2. Suzuki Burgman 650

So the Suzuki Burgman 650 was where I got my taste for scooter life. Suzuki have since discontinued the big 650cc scoot in favour of the smaller, lighter Burgman 400, but the Burgman 650 will have a special place in my heart for a number reasons.

It was the first scooter I ever took onto the track at a launch day, and you can bet I had the centre stand scraping the tarmac around Bruntingthorpe! It was also the first scooter I did serious mile munching on and it is the one that made me realise that scooter life is actually stupidly practical if you can put your ego aside!

3. Sunra Robo S

Now this little electric beauty makes the line up because it’s been tried and tested by me, in fact it’s a scooter that’s been to Aldi with me for a weekly shop, thanks to its 24 litre storage. It’s amazing what you can fit on/in a scooter when you really put your mind to it!

With a top speed of 50MPH, maximum range of 80 miles, charge up time in 4 hours costing approx 28p for a full charge? It’s the ideal commuter for a city dweller.

UsernameKate’s top three superbikes

1. Ducati Panigale 1299 S Anniversario

I think I need to kick this list off with a little spice, a little Italian exotica, which leads me to the Ducati Panigale 1299 S Anniversario. The first in my list of my top three superbikes has to be a motorcycle I saw for the first time whilst working at my local Ducati franchise. It was here I first saw the Ducati Panigale 1299 S Anniversario in all its glory. This magnificent machine was produced in 2016 as a limited edition model with only 500 produced worldwide.

Something about this bike made me fall in love! A Panigale is a piece of art as it is, but the black, red and white body work combined with the light gold wheels and Akrapovic underslung exhaust just enamoured me.

2. BMW M1000RR Competition Package

As a frequent rider of the newest generation S1000RR, I think BMW stepped it up a level when they launched the M1000RR. Although these bikes aren’t limited in number, there is just something really spectacular about them.

There are many things I love about the M1000RR Competition Package. I love the way its carbon glistens under showroom lights, its aggressive looking wings, its bold and obnoxious asymmetrical colour scheme and of course its uprated titanium internals give it more power, more torque and of course, less weight.

3. Suzuki Team Classic RG500

Despite the Suzuki Team Classics RG500 being around 35-years-old, it’s still considered an absolute force to be reckoned with. We managed to see an appearance of this bike in 2018 and 2019 at the Isle of Man Classic TT where it was ridden by racer Danny Webb. Unfortunately after a blown head gasket, the bike had to retire early, but that’s not before capturing some on-board footage from the laps it managed.

Watching that footage gets the blood pumping, there is nothing like the manic screams of a two stroke revving its knackers off!

I also think the Team Classic livery is one of the most timeless colour schemes going and it inspired the paint work on my own Suzuki GSXR 750 track bike.

Scooter and superbikes insurance you can trust

No matter which scooter or superbike you ride, Bikesure can offer you great deals on your insurance. Call 0333 271 6958 for a no obligation motorcycle insurance quote or book a callback at a time that suits you.

Scooters, UsernameKate