What to ride or what not to? This is the eternal question going through many new and old motorcyclists’ minds constantly. Does it matter what you ride? Of course, it matters. But it can and should only matter to you what you ride. Not to anyone else.
Though there are countless self-opinionated riders that will sprout off about why their chosen brand is better than everyone else’s and there are others that chop and change marques like underwear.
Motorcycle owners can be devoted loyalists for their entire riding careers and others can enjoy a multitude of differing brands and styles of two wheeled chariots at one time or over a life time.
here are any number of considerations when choosing your next bike.
What do I need it for? Am I simply looking for something cheaper to commute to work on or will it be in the dirt or on a racetrack on weekends. Will it be my first one, my second one or will I need to build a new garage to accommodate the overflow and plethora of existing ones.
Will it be new or second hand, will I need to restore it or work on it over a considerable period of time before being able to enjoy riding it. Should it go lightning fast or just look pretty?
What will the wife say or do?
Then there’s things like driver’s license engine capacity requirements to adhere too or is the bike suited to my height, weight, strength and rider capabilities. There are any number of returning middle aged or first-time riders that goof up this decision-making process right up and there are plenty of motorcycle showrooms and wreckers full to the brim from those individual’s bad decisions and blaringly obvious wrong turns.
But usually the first question is. How expensive is it to own, operate and maintain? Can I afford this one? Of course, you can because if you really want it you will find away.
It’s like that pretty girl you meet and you just can’t stop thinking about her and how next you can see her. That’s what a love affair or devotion to motorcycling does to one’s enthusiasm or passion. Is drive you to lengths of despair over how to achieve what you long for. This can give you sleepless nights, make you get a second job or consider an earlier than planned divorce.
But you must know that you will always come back to that same question. Can you afford not to have one or be without one?
I know I cannot not have a bike because those few times in my life when I’ve either been between bikes or unable to ride are truly the lowest points of my life. Bouts of depression set in, I feel glum, get moody and life seems to take on a blackness and emptiness that only someone who just had a limb severed could relate to.
Even that small time between selling my last bike and waiting for the next new one to be delivered. I’m like an expectant father pacing the hallways.
Over time I’ve learnt to never have only one bike at my disposal to ensure that this level of manic depression does not consume me in these pre-delivery times. No need to fret or pace.
Simply fire up the second bike and go out in the dirt or find your favourite corners on the bitumen and tear it up. I’ve owned numerous makes, brands and models and ridden on nearly every continent on the planet over many years and in all manner of weather conditions.
Here’s a poem which kind of sums this up.
Motorcycles I’ve loved a few.
Even a couple that were brand new.
From Scooters to choppers.
Trail bikes to bar hoppers.
Quads that have four wheels.
Trikes that no one ever steals.
Ones for Commuters.
Others for attracting hooters.
Whether it’s on a race track.
Or a Harley in a pack.
Sports bikes to Big cruisers.
Careful because they all give bruises.
Hondas or Ducati what’s in a name.
For the buzz, you get is all the same.
So, what’s the answer? The answer my friends, is to ride whatever makes you happy and don’t concern yourself with what anyone else rides or thinks about what you’re riding.
SO, LETS RIDE.
Just for the politically correct and any female riders and readers. Any reference in this or any column of mine in relation to and or my use of what may sound one sided gender slang, jargon or sexist dialogue. I make no apologies for these but whole heartedly endorse and encourage all and every person regardless of gender to fall in love with and enjoy motorcycling.
