I bought my first motorcycle at 23 in 2009, as broke college student. My friends all had bikes. My grandfather has ridden motorcycles his entire life, my father loved them as well. I had a family that loved motorcycles, and I had to see what it was all about.
My CB360 was $300. My XT250 was $1000. My CB400F was $500. My XS650 was $500. My friends ride new, "reliable" bikes. My grandfather swore by Honda. My uncle loves his Harley. I've ridden them all, and while they are great fun, I always felt disconnected.
My bikes have been junk, running junk, valuable junk, but junk none the less.
But its taking that junk and making it reliable. It's having the spot in the garage thats packed full of spares. Spare wheels, engines, carbs, ignitions, its like a gold mine...that cost a few hundred bucks.
Although I have a decent job now, I can't see owning a bike I can't fix. I can't see owning a bike I don't understand.
I can't see owning a bike that when something goes wrong, I cant hop on the net, type on a question, and get 30 years of experience in reply back.
My CB360 was $300. My XT250 was $1000. My CB400F was $500. My XS650 was $500. My friends ride new, "reliable" bikes. My grandfather swore by Honda. My uncle loves his Harley. I've ridden them all, and while they are great fun, I always felt disconnected.
My bikes have been junk, running junk, valuable junk, but junk none the less.
But its taking that junk and making it reliable. It's having the spot in the garage thats packed full of spares. Spare wheels, engines, carbs, ignitions, its like a gold mine...that cost a few hundred bucks.
Although I have a decent job now, I can't see owning a bike I can't fix. I can't see owning a bike I don't understand.
I can't see owning a bike that when something goes wrong, I cant hop on the net, type on a question, and get 30 years of experience in reply back.
Last edited:
