It's the simple things in life that matter. Like two wheels and an engine. Especially when that engine is a Harley-Davidson 1200cc V-twin which shakes, rattles and rolls like Elvis in an earthquake.

The new Roadster is the latest iteration of the Sportster which first thudded down America's freeways in 1957, back in the days when British PM Harold Macmillan was boasting that "most of our people have never had it so good".

I'm heading to Knockhill to watch the final round of the Scottish Championships but my mind is on a mythical America of straight roads, roadside diners and sunny days. I wonder how a bike designed for the land of the free will cope with Scotland's bumpy, twisty roads.

''The view from my visor shows a round speedometer and a round headlight and that's about it. There is a throttle, clutch and brake, and flat handlebars stamped with the legend: Milwaukee, USA. The USA bit is important. If a manufacturer is going to trade on its heritage - and they all do - then that heritage has to be protected. Triumph's new Bonneville is 100 per cent made in Thailand and, to me at least, that takes some of the shine off the bike. The Roadster, on the other hand, is as American as blue jeans and blue skies.

There's no array of buttons, no engine maps or traction control distractions here. The connection between your right hand and the engine is real: there is no electronic jiggery-pokery. It may 'only' produce 60bhp (with an impressive 71lb ft of torque) but twist the throttle and the bike surges towards the horizon, the pistons clattering and the crank spinning. It's the perfect antidote to the digitally dulled performance of some modern bikes.

As I enter the Kingdom of Fife the roads begin to come alive, and twist and turn as all good roads should. The Roadster has pegs, rather than footboards, and they are set fairly far back. Combined with the relatively narrow back tyre (150 wide), and decent ground clearance, the Roadster has handling that benefits its no-nonsense looks. It's surefooted, with upside down forks and relatively long-travel rear suspension and ABS brakes with dual discs up front. It is fun to ride, to swing in and out of corners. A quick blast on the Roadster provides more smiles than a boxset of Live at the Apollo and the whole package works at the sort of speeds that won't attract the attention of Boss Hogg.

The Herald:

The Roadster works at the sort of speeds that won't attract the attention
of Boss Hogg

The Roadster shares its engine and chassis with the Forty-Eight, but has a slightly bigger tank at 12.5 litres which will take you from Glasgow to Knockhill and back with a little juice left over for a trip into town for a burger 'n' shake at The Hard Rock Cafe. Design-wise, it's a case of less is more, with cut-down fenders and small seat for an occasional pillion. The ergonomics are comfortable with a seat height of 785mm which makes paddling the bike's 259kg easy enough though I found the clutch heavy in town.

At motorway speeds, the bike sits around 3000rpm. There are, of course, vibes but they add to the ride and the Roadster, after all, isn't designed to transport you so effortlessly that you've almost forgotten the ride by the time you get to your destination. It's designed to make you feel alive. And in that it succeeds.

Thanks to West Coast Harley, North Street, Glasgow, for the loan of test bike. The Roadster starts at £9,695. See www.westcoastharley.com

Would you know what to do in an accident? Whether to move a casualty, or how to remove an unconscious rider's helmet? If not, then get yourself along to a Biker Down course. The free three-hour sessions, run by the Scottish Fire and Rescue service, covers accident management, basic first aid and how to avoid becoming an accident statistic. I attended the course at Motherwell Fire Station and while I won't be getting a job at Holby City anytime soon it was three hours well spent. The atmosphere is friendly and the training is practical with plenty of jokes to keep things moving along.

They also run courses in Oban and South Queensferry. Email bikerdownscotland@firescotland.gov.uk or follow them on Facebook at Biker Down Scotland.

Indoor electric motocross has come to Scotland with the opening of Hyper Trax in East Kilbride. Riders can hire electric KTMs, Butalcos and carts. There are separate tracks for children, beginners and expert trials riders and all safety equipment is provided.

Call on 0333 772 9894 or send an e-mail to info@hyper-trax.com

GARRY SCOTT