Former motorbike test rider gets back in the saddle aged 90 to try new bike built in Coventry

[dutchman]

Colin Dean took the new Maeving RM1 for a ride



A 90-year-old motorbike test rider has got back in the saddle to take a new Coventry-built electric motorcycle for a spin. It's not unusual for motorcyclists to take a break from two-wheels when kids and other of life's responsibilities get in the way.

But Colin Dean, from Nuneaton, has taken this to an extreme and thrown his leg over the saddle at the age of 90 to test out the new Maeving electric motorcycle - the RM1. Colin worked as a test-rider for Coventry-based motorcycle makers Francis-Barnett in the 1950s.

This week, he visited the new Coventry manufacturer to have a go on their first bike.

Mr Dean said: "Well, it's an unusual day. Something I never thought I'd experience but I enjoyed it. It makes you realise what you're missing.

"It's an unusual bike but when you get used to it, it's just a usual ride. The more you ride it, the more you want to ride it. It feels so good."

Maeving is a company set up by Seb Inglis-Jones and Will Stirrup, who met at university and shared a vision to set up a green business. The 16-strong team, made up mostly of former Triumph engineers, is located in Heritage Business Park.

The RM1 is powered by removable batteries which can be charged from any plug socket. The manufacturer has already sold out the first 100 of the bikes, with more than 1,500 others registering interest.

[dutchman]

I would rather own a Francis-Barnett!