IG听力2022 part3音频

[00:00.27] Speaker 1. Hello and welcome to our programme.

[00:04.24] I would like to introduce you to Hugo Wilson.

[00:07.43] Some of you will know him as the editor of a well-written and beautifully designed monthly magazine dedicated to motorcycling.

[00:16.20] When not working as an editor, he rides a vintage Italian motorcycle,

[00:21.78] which shows he is a man of excellent taste.

[00:26.55] Speaker 2. Thank you so much and thanks for having me on today’s programme.

[00:31.61] Speaker 1. You’re welcome.

[00:33.47] I would like to tell our listeners about a book that you’ve just written about famous motorcycles,

[00:39.57] dating back from the 1920s right up to the latest super motorcycle.

[00:45.69] Can you tell us a little about this book?

[00:48.60] Speaker 2. Well, there are over 300 motorcycles featured,

[00:52.86] all of them different and all of them amazing in their own way.

[00:57.60] The only common thing with the machines is they have an engine and two wheels.

[01:02.91] Speaker 1. Motorcycles have always been much more than just a means of transport, haven’t they?

[01:09.82] Or am I wrong in thinking that?

[01:12.47] Speaker 2. You’re right.

[01:13.81] Ever since they were invented, motorcycles have caught the imagination of not only men and boys,

[01:20.71] but also women and girls.

[01:23.63] It’s probably to do with escape, excitement and technology,

[01:28.94] as well as the combination of the motorcycle’s physical form

[01:32.92] and the cultural meaning that they have acquired over 100 years.

[01:37.71] Speaker 1. Could you explain that to our listeners?

[01:40.89] Speaker 2. Yes, of course.

[01:43.02] Throughout the history of the motorcycle there has been a common quest from both riders and engineers,

[01:49.93] and that is performance.

[01:52.58] This is not just about power and speed,

[01:55.51] but ease of handling, safety and comfort.

[02:00.29] Speaker 1. Yes, that may be, but surely motorcycle buyers have an interest in good looks.

[02:05.86] Personally, I can’t see the point of having a high-performance motorcycle if it’s unattractive.

[02:11.98] Some just want a cheaper motorcycle to run but, unless I am mistaken,

[02:17.55] this has never really been a priority for anyone interested in chasing motorcycle mates on a racing track.

[02:24.46] Speaker 2. You’re right.

[02:25.79] Racing and competition have always been behind the development of the machines.

[02:31.90] From the moment when the first two pioneer riders met on a dusty road and began boasting about their machines,

[02:39.60] there has been motorcycle racing.

[02:43.05] The result of competition has been technological leaps,

[02:47.03] driven by the needs for racing success.

[02:50.22] Sometimes the developments have been small, sometimes huge.

[02:54.74] In our century, advances in electronics have made engines cleaner, more economical,

[03:01.38] more powerful and more userfriendly.

[03:05.05] Speaker 1. And I presume these improvements have had an impact on sporting motorcycles,

[03:10.37] even on the simplest mopeds.

[03:13.03] And what about manufacturers, are they keeping up with all the changes?

[03:16.98] Speaker 2. Well, some manufacturers are not changing fast enough.

[03:23.09] Owners love to work on their motorcycles,

[03:26.28] try to improve their performance and often change their looks,

[03:30.26] whether for cosmetic or functional reasons.

[03:34.25] In my opinion there are few motorcyclists who can resist customising their motorcycles, even in a small way.

[03:42.75] Speaker 1. I have read that some of the early motorcyclists built their own machines.

[03:48.32] In the early years of the 20 th century, it was quite easy to become a motorcycle manufacturer.

[03:54.70] You just assembled some ready-made components,

[03:57.89] put a unique name on the fuel tank and you had your motorcycle.

[04:02.67] It’s not that easy nowadays, is it?

[04:06.39] Speaker 2. No, it isn’t easy.

[04:08.78] Today you need a unique idea to justify the development process and the huge cost necessary to produce

[04:16.22] even a few motorcycles with your name or brand on the tank.

[04:21.23] Speaker 1. But some people still have drive and dedication, not to mention financial backing,

[04:27.34] and new names will appear from time to time.

[04:30.79] Isn’t that true?

[04:32.35] Speaker 2. Well, yes, just look at John Britten who built an amazing motorcycle about 20 years ago.

[04:39.80] The motorcycle named after him was both functional and beautiful.

[04:45.10] It is tragic that only eleven of these magnificent machines were ever built.

[04:50.95] Speaker 1. So, in your opinion, what is the most important thing people look for when buying a motorcycle?

[04:58.92] Speaker 2. Well, I think that performance is not the most important factor.

[05:05.29] The look of a motorcycle, and what that says about the buyer, is very important.

[05:11.67] People have always been concerned about what their choice of motorcycle says about them.

[05:18.04] Speaker 1. I think you’re right there.

[05:20.43] The popularity of the motorcycle has been influenced by their image in films

[05:25.22] like Easy Rider or the famous scene from The Great Escape.

[05:29.99] These were not real racing motorcycles but have influenced our ideas

[05:34.78] about why we would want one, and how we would like it to look.

[05:39.82] Correct me if I’m wrong.

[05:42.21] Speaker 2. You’re right.

[05:43.81] Since I started writing about motorcycles and have published books on how to maintain one,

[05:49.13] manufacturers have built faster and more powerful motorcycles,

[05:53.90] as well as slower more economical ones,

[05:56.56] that are no less attractive in looks and customer appeal.

[06:01.35] Some brands have flourished, while others have declined and disappeared altogether.

[06:07.18] For example, one of the oldest brands has survived thanks to the Indian Army who, in 1967,

[06:14.35] bought the factory and moved production to India.

[06:18.61] Speaker 1. I think we can safely say that the motorcycle is constantly evolving,

[06:23.38] with new technology, new designs and new styles.

[06:27.37] Thanks, Hugo, for talking to us.

[06:30.29] Speaker 2. Yes, every rider has a different idea of what makes the perfect motorcycle.

[06:36.13] I, too, have my own dream machine,

[06:39.85] as I’m sure your listeners do! Thanks for having me on your programme.

[06:44.88] Speaker 1. It’s been a pleasure!