That’s roughly what i’ve ridden on the old Honda motorcycle i brought home last week. At the moment, i remember every single one of those 62 miles.
Adrenaline. That’s why. A good dose of being absolutely scared shitless does wonders for heightened awareness.
The ride from the shop? About 18 miles from there to my garage. Even with a friend following in a “chase vehicle”* to keep people off my ass, the pucker-factor was at “eleven” for the entire ride. i can remember my first left turn (hop-launched when the light changed), can remember almost nailing a curb in the construction zone while stumbling with my left foot to find the next gear, and remember almost losing it completely for no apparent reason in a curve…
Yesterday, he wouldn’t start. After beating on the battery for far too long, trying to get him to turn over, i hopped on the kick-start! Big fun when it turned over – but disappointment as he promptly stalled out.
After a few more hops on the kicker, i managed to lose my balance and drop the bike the driveway. Jumped wide to keep it from landing on my leg, and managed to crunch the left turn signal lens on the driveway… and as a result, have now ordered my first replacement parts, as well as the Clymer manuel, which i am certainly going to need if i’m going to keep this bastard on the road.
i could continue to bore you with more details of every subsequent mile i’ve put on the ol’ fella**, but it means nothing to anyone but me.
i’m not going to be adding too many more miles this season. Winter in these parts means short, cold days. i’m a recreational motorcyclist, and will not be suffering frostbite just to feel the wind on my face… i’m focused on skills development and building “muscle memory” – there’s a great deal of multi-tasking required to ride a motorbike, and most of it should be instinctive so you can deal with the unexpected***.
There are 15,159 miles on the odometer. The bike was built in 1974, which makes him 36 years old****. Parked in a garage for at least the last three years, that means he was averaging about 400-500 miles a year. i have to wonder about what the other 15,097 miles were like. Who rode them? What about the first 100 miles? Did anyone ever get laid as a direct result of owning this bike? How many people have straddled that torn leather seat?
Although it’s only been 62 miles, i’ve changed a bit as a result. It’s long been on my “to do” list. That box is now checked. That’s part of it, but not all of it….
Hanging on at 50 miles an hour, feeling like the wind is going to blow my ass off the bike. Watching the pavement blur under my feet. Knowing that i’m exposed. Knowing enough physics to know that i’m going to lose every battle – solo or entangled with other objects.
It just feels right…
image found here. and i’m pretty sure i’d be willing to have my tubes untied in order to have this gentleman’s baby…
* Studly McRocklegs only had to turn on his emergency flashers a few times, as i slowed well below the posted speed limits. Mostly while fumbling to up-shift…
** This one is a “male”. The default gender for most vehicles seems to be female for some reason. Never understood that. My jeep? Female. The bike? Not sure what it is, but i’m quite certain that the growling, cranky beast that i now ‘straddle’ is male…
*** Gravel, possum or blue-haired granny pulling out in front of you in her Oldsmobuick, seatbelt sparking on the pavement, turn signal perpetually on, as she ventures out on a quest to purchase hearing aid batteries…
**** i’m 48. having a 36 year old between my legs does NOT qualify me as a cougar, thankyouverymuch.
Trailer Park Refugee 
That last comment made me laugh. You’re a brave woman. I rode a moped in Bermuda and almost pooped my pants. (Plus, my teeth are so huge I’d be plucking bugs from them all night long after the ride.)
i think being a cougar takes far more guts than riding a bike… i avoid the tooth buggery by wearing a full face helmet with shield. getting a cigarette tossed at me while riding could be a bit of a problem without it!
You might also want to pick up a copy of Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance. Crappy book on both subjects, but I would think a requirement for anyone riding a 36 year old bike.
read it in the late 70’s. Dad gave me a copy. agree that it was a pretty lousy book on both counts, but it probably would be worth a re-read this winter!
I clicked the link but I’m still no wiser as to who the studly gentleman is…
sorry it was confusing – it’s a motorcycle owners forum. he’s one of the moderators, and just looking at the photos of the bikes he’s owned (and modified) midway down the page made me kinda hot! i’m a dork, but you already know that…
Whew. I was afraid I was the only one who had no idea. . . He’s not my type, I wouldn’t go through a medical procedure for him…
HMH – i’ve always been a sucker for a guy with mechanical skills. the bikes he’s showing have been heavily modified. i’m a gear-head/geek…
Robin thinks you’re brave but I think you’re a bit crazy. Please be careful. You’re a neophyte and could cause some serious hurt to your person. Wind through your hair, my ass.
there’s a bit of truth there… but i wear a helmet, so there’s no wind in the hair. there is only one way to learn to ride and lose the neophyte status. ride. being scared is a sign of intelligence, by the way. it’s the folks who don’t understand how dangerous it is that are a bit of a menace.
I believe I already said “wear a helmet”, but I’ve got one other word for you, and that is “leather”. Don’t skimp. A good set of leathers can help save your life or, at minimum, the skin on your ass.
The neighbour is thinking of selling his Honda now that he’s convinced himself that he likes his newer Harley better. I’m wondering how much he’s asking….
I agree. Invest in leather. Lots of leather. I find I give this sort of advice to women often. Not sure what that says about me.
and as for you, young man, i’ll have you know the boots/gloves are all leather. i’ve got plenty of leather, but prefer better ventilation for the bike…
i’ve got a full face helmet. and instead of leathers? Going more for tech gear. Kevlar jeans and armoured jacket (high viz yellow for me). it breathes better (gets hotter than hell here in the summer).
After spending some time on the pillion of a motorcycle with one of my first BFs in college, I really did not develop a desire to actually operate one. Perhaps the big burn on my calf from the exhaust pipe turned me off, or maybe it was the time he didn’t show up for our date on time because he dumped his bike and was covered with road rash. I don’t know. I just never have been a fan of adrenaline rushes. They can be a very economical commute vehicle, though.
i’ve always hated the view from the back of a bike, and exhaust burns are a serious risk back there! i think this is a ‘born’ thing – like SCUBA. you either want it or you don’t. it’s always been in me – but raising young ‘uns meant it would be irresponsible to take stooopid risks. i can do that now, with reduced consequences…
Being a cougar is overrated. It’s exciting in your 40s but by the time you’re crawling off toward 60 and he’s in his prime…not so much. Maybe if you could just keep that image of a 36 yr old between your thighs…and none of the details…hmmm
i’m still quite content being single. i have friends, companionship whenever i want it, and the love of a fine dog. anything else gets complicated fast… the bike? another distraction in my stable that won’t keep me awake at night!
not for all the money the banks used to have would you get me on a motorbike…never gonna happen….I take my safety helmet off to you….!
oh, c’mon! i’m a good driver. i’m a very good driver… just close your eyes and hold on tight!
You are the cutest – a little kid on her first ride without the training wheels. Come on, I’ll make you some cookies and milk.
Glad you didn’t injure yourself little lady.
you nailed it! especially since i am going by the ‘zero tolerance’ for alcohol and motorcycling. we stop for ice cream, not beer. i do feel a bit like a kid on a bicycle… need to get me some tassles!
Who is the man in that picture?? I haven’t been able to get him out of my mind. It’s that hair.
Glad you weren’t crushed by your bike. Sounds like you’ve got cat-like moves.
it’s definitely the hair. and the stance. and the fact that he’s leaning on MY bike (which doesn’t have a cool ‘sissy bar’ like his did, but it’s the same bike). these are the men that were attractive when i was approaching puberty, and for some damn reason, i find him hot. excuse me… i’ll be right back….
Forget the guy with the porn ‘stache — Daise, you are the hottest thing on two wheels since Roger Moore busted a move in that alley in Vegas…
Totally want to learn how to ride. Totally a Dad to a 10-year-old. Totally screwed.
Thank you, Blaiser! you’re doing the right thing. i’ve been waiting for almost 20 years. In hindsight, i probably deserved a newer bike…
crap….. SEAN CONNERY, SEAN CONNERY!!!
how the blue blaisers could I get that wrong….
i had to look it up in IMDB anyway! you are forgiven!
You know why that photo is magic? Because he looks like Donald Sutherland, although I think it’s just a random.
Donald is my favorite of the Sutherlands.
THAT’S it! i was thinking he was sort of Vonnegut-esque, but it’s Donald Sutherland! That explains why i’m kinda hot for him…