Why We Ride

[RP#62]

I ran across this image the other day.  I haven't thought about it for years.  I won't say its why I ride, but it definitely had something to do with it.

-RP

[The emperor has no clothes]

Steve McQueen was a bad ass. But I think this had more of an impact on my riding.

[carolinarider09]

I ran across this image the other day.  I haven't thought about it for years.  I won't say its why I ride, but it definitely had something to do with it.

-RP

 

[Valkorado]

Both the above.  Bronson was a major dude.  Just riding around, doing good things for people.

[Jess from VA]

I was completely hooked after my cousin took me on a wide open throttle ride through the West Virginia hills on his 150 Dream (at like 14).  Even though he scared the crap out of me.

As movies go, On Any Sunday was tops with about every kind of riding there is.  Whenever it pops up on the TV, I watch it again.  


Malcolm Smith (left), Steve McQueen (middle), and Mert Lawwill goofing off on director Bruce Brown’s SoCal ranch during the movie’s final days of shooting.



Funny too.

[old2soon]

     I strapped on a Cushman Eagle?? at right around 10 or 11. Neighbors across the street from us had them. 2 Brothers and I got along with one of them. It was white with a tan single seat but both of us fit on it. I can Honestly say my Only fear wuz Mom and Dad finding out. Far as I know Mom and Dad never did but if they had found out I never heard which in and of itself is Extremely doubtful. And the first time I took it out by myself well STILL HOOKED!    I look back now and I THANK GOD I've been able to share HIS Wind with many Friends and acquaintances over these years. ALL of us here KNOW bout Wind Therapy!  RIDE SAFE.

[DIGGER]

Me too....my dad worked at a Sears store in Houston.  As a little kid I would sometimes go with him to work and I would make a beeline to their motorcycle section where they sold Riverside motorcycles.   Then when about 12 yrs old I went to spend the summer with a cousin in Paris Texas who was my age and he had a cushman.   Cant remember which model.   We rode that little bike all over the country side roads.  No traffic out there in the country. We had a ball.   I was hooked.  Begged my parents for one for 2 yrs and they finally relented and bought me a bike sold by Sears called a "Allstate Compact".   Been riding ever since

[0leman]

I was a late bloomer; didn't get first bike till I was 21.  Dad told me when I was making my own money, could pay insurance, and legally buy a bike I could do it.   Did have a old heavy metal frame bicycle till I went to High School.   Road it everywhere, stripped off the fenders, jumped it a lot, and crashed a lot.

First time on a bike was riding bitch on the back on a Triumph Bonneville. Got in a drag race with a mustang.  We had to shut it down cause there was a parked car in our lane.  We were doing over 90 a the time.  I was hooked.   

[carolinarider09]

OK,,, this did get me thinking.  I rode a bicycle a lot when I was pre teen years and then some in 16 and 17, but, in 1972-73 I got to take a shipmates new motorcycle for a very, very short ride.  It was not cool.   

But in 1974 I got my first, for me motorcycle a Yamaha 175 Enduro.  Road it back and forth to work in FL until we moved to Michigan and I sold it.

Did not get another motorcycle until 2001, 2001 Honda Shadow.  Put 60,000 miles on it till the engine failed.  Then got my 2003 Honda Valkyrie Standard 89,000 miles as of today).  Then a used BMW RT1100 Police model (don't remember the year, maybe 1999 but I did convert it from Police to standard tourer).   The BWM final drive failed and I sold it to someone and then got a 2007 ST1300 (106,000 miles to date) and then a 2015 Honda Goldwing (88,000 to date)

I have pictures of them all (well except for the Yamaha). 

[Robert]

 My mother would not let me get a motorcycle when I was young and she was a nurse so that was always in the back of my mind also no bike really interested me. My wind and adventure was really boats that I had in various models from the time I was 8.  Mainly fast boats in the 70 plus range and I used to love go exploring the bays and inland water ways. So between bikes and boats my time was pretty full with the traveling and adventures. Summers were spent getting money for gas and on the water or bicycling somewhere.

Life got in the way of buying a motorcycle but it was always in the back of my mind. I Resisted for many years because of all responsibilities, until one day I visited a motorcycle show room years later it was only a block from my house.
 
Walked in and there like I had done to many showrooms and there were all the bikes lined up and nothing looked interesting till I saw the Valk. It had reminded me of the Valk ad I had seen many years earlier with that big front wheel all red and white. I walked in and out of that showroom 3 separate times and for days I could not get the Valk off my mind. Several days later and on the 3rd or 4th time visiting the showroom I bought her.

I was ready for a new wind adventure even more than I knew, and had not really had any toy in a long long time. I loved my 1500 it made me feel like the days I would spend on the water with the wind and salt spray just looking at the sights. There was always something to do, an adventure to be had and never was it planned, it just happened. The 1800 followed in the 1500 footsteps and is less maintenance bike so it makes getting wind that much easier.

My wife never had the love of motorcycling like I have and so I have once again bought something else to satisfy my wind need and yet make her comfortable. She says why dont you sell your motorcycle, I always respond, "Someday", but I will never sell it. My 1800 costs me nothing and I put the key in and ride and once again I am transported to the place where earth, road and sky and adventure meet at the whim of a thought.

Its just not the same in a car, even a convertible that can go faster, and handle better and is so much more comfortable, but the view and wind are never the same. I must admit between the hot humid summers and the occasional rains the car is easier on traveling and has made it easier, but somehow the little details you get on a bike are just not there.

I am constantly reminded of the beauty and fun of the wind and road every time I see a dog with his head sticking out the window enjoying the wind in his face. I smile and think he knows whats really good in life.   

The USA has some truly beautiful places and to see them experience the wind, smells, feel and explore is one of life's treats.   

I guess its just a part of me that I never want to give up on. It brings joy. peace and adventure and puts things back into perspective once again.