Did you read that bit on the front page where I mentioned that I had written stuff, but that it never got sent up? I think one of those lost masterpieces was my ode to my motorcycle. I mention it elsewhere on the site of course, it has a little mention in the world of cars section, but thats it. Unlike the car -- which is basic transportation, or the truck -- which is for hauling stuff, the motorcycle is purely for fun. 30 minutes on the bike after a lousy day at work, and old Bill is a calm and mellow guy again.
My bike isn't much -- it's only slightly larger than a scooter (and Japanese at that) -- but I still feel that I'm more of a biker than some of these latter day Harley owners. I've had my class M license for almost 20 years -- heck, I've had this same bike for 14 years. I've fixed the electrical system on it, rebuilt the carberators -- twice, and this year I had to remove the back wheel so I could get a new tire (I suppose the front tire will be next year). The most some of these Harley owners ever do to thier machines is wash them.
Actually, most of the older Harley riders are some of the best folks you can meet while out on he road. They're always the first to salute you as you ride past them in the opposite lane (the salute is a simple gesture - you just drop your left hand down below the handle bar, and hold it parallel to the road for a moment, then move back up to the handlebar) -- the guys on the suicide bikes never do that. Of course, those are the guys planning which act of stupidity they're coing to commit next (which explains why at least 2 of them will die each year in some high speed loss of common sense).
Growing up, we knew a guy who had a motorcycle -- he'd drive over to our nieghborhood and give us rides around the yard. But I suppose the person I really owe my interest in motorcycles to was a girl named Nancy. She had a little Suzuki 185gt that she let me ride to learn on -- then she let me use it to get my license. I never rode with her on a bike, in fact, I don't think I ever actually saw her riding one -- but she eventually got the Harley she'd wanted all along -- or at least that's what I heard.
I hope to get a new bike someday -- mine is great for smaller people, and it's an excellent first bike for someone -- but it's too small to ride for long periods of time at any appreciable rate of speed. I'd love a Vulcan Classic, but would be happy with a Shadow as well. But for now, it's just me and my little LTD....