Hittin' the Highway

As a very outspoken nerd with a passion for DualShocks and JoyCons, Sci-Fi and Anime, and all things dice related, it may come as a surprise that I also have a hidden love for those roaring, two-wheeled demons of the highway...motorcycles. Since I can remember, I've always had a goofy grin on my face whenever I heard (or in some cases felt) the approach of a rumbling Harley Davidson or a growling Honda. That powerful and rebellious image of the big cruisers is right up there with the chest-rattling power of the old classic muscle cars. Both symbols of power, speed, excitement, and old-school manliness. That always seemed like a world that was out of my reach. Whether it was knowledge, money, time, support, or any other of the countless roadblocks that always popped up when bikes or cars were mentioned, I learned to accept that it just wasn't in the cards for me to be part of that motorheaded world. Well...until now.

I've casually hunted for a deal on a motorcycle for many years. Since I was 15 and legally able to get a license to ride one, I've wanted to get on two wheels. But, due to my unquestionable lack of maturity and parents that recognized that I had no business getting on a bike at that age, my motorcycle dreams remained just that. High school and college came and went, my career took my main focus, then came marriage and a new person in my life that was too concerned with motorcycle safety to support my desire to ride. I never so much as got on a dirt bike. But then at 39 years old, a father of two and the husband of a far more supportive second wife I finally got the go-ahead! Now the journey to ditching the cage and feeling the wind could finally begin!

I scoured the local Facebook Marketplace listings, searched the nearest dealerships, and hit up all the riders I knew to ask questions and learn the lay of the land. After close to two months of hunting and researching I finally found what I had been looking for. A couple hours away, at a reputable dealership, I found her. A 2008 Kawasaki Vulcan 1600 Classic in royal blue and black. A bike capable of taking me around town or across the country. Big enough to be comfortable but still small enough to be my first bike. I was in love. I quickly went to take my written permit test and got my down payment lined up. All I needed was a little help to get her home.

I've never felt anything quite like it. The weight, the feeling of the hot leather seat and the smell of the fresh tires mixed with polish as I walked the bike back off the trailer. I can't fully convey the feeling of waiting for over twenty years for something to happen, then finally having the handlebars resting under your trembling fingertips. I pressed the ignition for the first time and heard her growl to life, sending a low, angry purr echoing off my neighbor's houses....squeeze the clutch, toe down for 1st gear, let off the brake....deep breath.....slowly release the clutch. You couldn't have pried the smile off my face with a hundred crowbars. She eased forward smooth and graceful into my yard for me to park....after nearly 20 minutes of smiling and randomly revving the engine. It was surreal to finally be able to refer to "My Bike" instead of my dream bike or the bike I wish I had. Now...I had to learn to ride her.

That brings me to the present day. I've put some time in in the saddle but still haven't learned enough to finish getting my license to ride by myself. I'm blessed to have friends with traffic cones willing to take me to a parking lot and teach me some of my basics before we go cruising around town. I still haven't broke onto the highway or cracked the throttle over about 45mph (at least not on purpose). But I'm content with taking it slowly and learning things correctly so I can make sure I survive to ride another day. Starting on a 1600cc bike was discouraged by some of my friends and encouraged by others. The one thing everyone agreed on was "it's not going to be easy, you have to take it slow and learn your bike." So, that's what I'm doing. Slow and steady, learning my fundamentals, building confidence in my habits and my procedures so that I can earn my confidence in the saddle.

My first milestone is complete, I own my first motorcycle. And...my second milestone was completed with the help of my children. They gave me a keychain for my bike key. It's a rubber figurine of the Pokémon Gengar...and guess what my bike is now named. I'm now adding a small decal of Gengar to the bottom of my windshield and the signature eyes and smile are on the front of my helmet. So, if any of you find yourself in my neck of the woods or if you hear me passing through yours...look out for the big blue bike with the little purple Gengar on the windshield. If you see me, be sure to wave, and in a twist on my norm...Be safe out there and ride on!