Dave takes title of biggest motorbike fan

Now the 34-year-old from Willenhall has raced ahead of the competition to be named Britain's biggest motorbike fan in a nationwide search. In 18 years of zooming around the world's roads, he's owned over 20 bikes at a cost of more than £70,000 and rides 365 days a year. He has even kept one bike in the living room in his old family home.

A manager at Cannock Jobcentre, he regularly rides across Europe and travels to MotoGP races, where he has met a number of the famous riders including James Toseland, Shane 'Shakey' Byrne and Troy Bayliss.

His latest model is a Honda CBR 900cc which he has affectionately called Roxanne. But his devotion has come at a cost – five girlfriends have left him after becoming tired of playing second fiddle to the two-wheeled machines.

He is currently living on the sixth floor of a block of flats and he has attempted several times to get the bike up to the comfort of his living room.

"I love the thrill of being out on the road and see it as a great way to escape the boring routine of a normal day," said Mr Smith, of Gomer Street.

"All my mates are bikers and they don't find it weird that I have sometimes kept the bike inside the house, or even in my room.

"I take great pride in my hobby and invite anyone who hasn't been on a bike to helmet up and give it a go."

He came top after entering a competition run by insurance company Bennetts to find the country's biggest bike enthusiast. Organisers were impressed by his devotion and awarded him the honour above hundreds of other entrants.

Paul Galligan, director of Bennetts said: "No-one really demonstrated their passion quite as much as Dave.

"He is literally willing to put his love for motorcycles before anything else."