Riding Through Time: The Life of a Motorcycle Enthusiast
For over two decades, my life has been framed by the thrill of two wheels—a journey marked not just by the roads traveled but also by the motorcycles that carried me. As a lifelong enthusiast and collector, I have had the privilege of experiencing the evolution of motorcycling from a unique vantage point: the saddle of countless bikes, each with its own story.
The Early Years: Igniting a Passion
My adventure began in the year 2000, a time during the movement of technological leaps and bounds in motorcycling engineering and design. My first motorcycle was a 1998 Yamaha R1 which I purchased used, a not so humble machine for a beginner to say the least. The spirited machine, was not just a mode of transportation; it was a gateway to a newfound freedom intertwindled with the obligation of an obsession. The roar of the engine and the rush of the wind became my escape, my solace. As I worked on tuning and maintaining my ride, each wrench turn deepened my connection to the mechanics and the magic of motorcycles.
Motorcycles thoughout the years: More than Just Machines
As the years progressed, so did my understanding of every aspect of motorcycles from models, parts, building, evolution, and everything else having to do with the culture to the engineering of them. Each motorcycle I acquired was a chapter in my story, representing different periods of my life and the styles that I was into from classic cruisers to cutting-edge sport bikes. Working on them, dedicating labor out of love, despite the diminishing returns, the satisfaction derived from the ride, the look, and the accomplishment made it all worth the experience. Searching, Buying, Repairng, Experiencing, and Selling motorcycles has been my most beloved hobby for the last 20 years; a pursuit of the feeling that everyone of them gave me when I first encounter their beauty, history, and craftsmanship. The feel of them from shininess to historical significance of motorcycling’s evolution are the stories that are told through each piece. It is in a similar realm as being a car enthusiast but to me the ride on two wheels is a much more intimate experience. One we’re riding in and the other we’re riding on, both bring to different people unmatched feels of joy but for me motorcycles make me feel more alive, intense, engaged and present as the dictator of every moment knowing that I’m more at risk yet more precise.
The Thrill of the Ride: Experiencing Diversity on Two Wheels
Having ridden all kinds of motorcycles, and also having worked on all kinds yet the truth is I’ve only experienced a small spectrum of whats out there and what these machines have to offer. There’s a profound difference between the raw, mechanical feel of a vintage bike and the sophisticated, computer-assisted performance of modern motorcycles. Each ride is a unique experience, an adventure, a different feel all having their own quirks. Whether navigating the tight twists of mountain passes or cruising on long trips or even the repetitive rides to work daily were all journies that added layers of depth to my appreciation of different motorcycles and their ablities. I appreciate the ease of maintence of simple motorcycles just as much as the precision maintenence of high performance machines. I love small bikes even scooters in busy areas when just running to the store. I own a Vespa LX150 that I loved riding 5-10 minutes to my destination around town. I love the speed, power, and agility of the many sport bikes that I’ve had and not to mention the pure sexiness that drops panties (unfortunately mostly of grown men). I love the comfort and steadiness of larger cruisers & touring bikes on long trips. Motorcycling is so much more dynamic than most people know and when we’re able to get out of our heads of what people think about us, I believe that is where the real fun begins.
My Garage: A Sanctuary of Solitude and Discovery
My garage is my sanctuary, a place where time stands still as I work on my bikes. Here, surrounded by motorcycles, tools, and parts, I find peace. It’s in this space that I connect with the essence of each motorcycle, understanding its pieces and mechanics. The garage is also a place of learning and discovery, where every repair and modification offers insights into the engineering marvels of innovation that trickle down to my fingertips. My garage is my showroom of visual appeal of my motorcycles that I see as extremely well put together functional pieces of art which allows me to appreciate them more dynamically. Once I can bring them in the house I would trust me as well as hang them on the walls. There’s also a familiarity to me about garages because I grew up in them but not like what you might think. My father wasn’t into cars or motorcycles so I didn’t grow up working on any vehicles but I grew up going to friends homes and having friends over at my home and many times we hung out in garages.
The Community: Shared Passion and Timeless Bonds
Motorcycle enthusiasm has lead me to many friends and like-minded individuals, each with their own stories and experiences. Sport Riders, Clubmembers, Old Timers, Best Friends, from buying selling, collecting, bike events all have become not just social gatherings but assemblies of shared passion for the ride and the machines. I’m not big on groups rides or massive functions but no matter what there’s many of us that share this passion of not being able to take our eyes off of these 2 wheeled specticles. From the friends that we ride with to the people that help us with our bikes it all connect us with the community of riders and enthusiasts. I’ve met many people from all walks of life that shared their passions and knowledge with the common denominator being the love for motorcycles.
Conclusion: A Lifetime Journey Continues
Looking back over the past twenty years, my journey as a motorcycle enthusiast and collector has been filled with joy, excitment, profits, and adversity. It is a path paved with challenges and triumphs, each mile ridden and each motorcycle collected adding to a lifelong narrative. As I continue on this journey, the road ahead is as exciting as the roads already traveled. My dream garage is a 20,000sqf warehouse where I’ll display, share, and monetize my collection. The thrill of discovery—whether on a long ride, in the depths of my garage, or picking up a new motorcycle all remains undiminished. For those who share this passion, understand that each motorcycle isn’t just a machine; it’s a living piece of history especially of our own, a part of the ride on our road of life.
