Why Motorcycles? Confessions of a Lifelong Rider!

Riding is a lifestyle and about the journey! When my sons and I could not talk about anything else, we could talk about motorcycles.

Designed by an artist!

Why motorcycles you ask (well maybe you didn't but where would be the fun in that?)? Like most boys growing up in the 60s and 70s machines intrigued me. I loved cars, aircraft but most of all motorcycles. It did not matter if they were mini-bikes or big Harleys rumbling down the highway, I was enamored. I desperately wanted an enduro bike or even a mini-bike, but my family did not have the money for that. So I wished for adulthood.

In 1976 at the age of 13 I went to Germany to spend the summer with my Oma. When I arrived at Frankfurt Airport my Uncle picked me up in his Porsche and we headed to Grünstadt in the Bad Dürkheim district on the Autobahn. That is when I met one of the loves of my life. In Germany drivers understand that the left lane is for passing, if a vehicle comes up behind you and flashes their lights, you move over. It is not an option but a requirement. We were going 220 kph (137 mph) in the far left lane and all of a sudden my uncle says “Scheiße!!!” He signals and moves one lane over and it happened. A BMW motorcycle came flying by us like we were standing still. The rider was laid out completely flat, dressed in leathers and moving quickly. I had never seen such a thing. I wanted to be the guy on that beautiful Bavarian wench!

Yours truly having a great day!

That day I resolved I would possess a BMW motorcycle. Just like some men fall in love with Harleys, I had fallen in love with a machine from the land of my father (my mother is from the Rheinland-Pfalz). As I got older I realized my dream came at a high cost. So I went through a series of fine Japanese and British built machines. Yet they were all substitutes, though very lovely. Finally, 25 years later I realized my dream and bought my BMW. Yes it was everything I had hoped for and more. The limiting factor on my motorcycle was me!

Italian art

Dreams are interesting things. While I love my motorcycle I realize lots of marquees make wonderful machines. Triumph is building amazing motorcycles, the new Indians are beautiful, and Japanese motorcycles are fantastic. Harleys and Victorys are cool no matter who you are. And the Italian motorcycles? They are exotic pieces of art. Today, while I ride BMWs, when I go back to work and start looking for that new motorcycle, I will not restrict myself to one manufacturer. I can always do like my youngest son who owns a BMW, a Triumph, two Suzukis, and a Honda, but I probably won't. He and Jay Leno can do that, this guy is a one motorcycle man. But to this day, I will never forget that motorcycle in the left lane of the Autobahn, passing us as we were going 220kph (137 mph). Man it was so cool!

My son hitting the corner

The most wonderful thing about motorcycling is that it is a sport that I share with my brother and sons, both of my boys ride. Happy riding (or dreaming) and keep the shiny side up and the oily side down.

Father and son, for reference I am 5'11" (180cm) and on the left, yeah he is that tall

M.

Photo Credits: All pictures were taken with my Canon EOS60D except the Ducati and the classic BMW hack.

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Hello! I am Mike K. I am an educator, lifelong student, military vet and wannabe musician. I have a love of history, economics, philosophy and motorcycles. I am quickly moving from minarchy to Christian anarchy philosophically and want people to stop meddling. My debut CD should be out soon!

Riding in Tennessee with my son on the Green Eyed Snake