I rode mini bikes and quads wen I was a kid and in my early 20’s but never did any street riding. In 2018 I lost my favorite uncle and he willed me this.
It’s a custom 1973 Harley-Davidson bobber with a 1200 Shovelhead and 4 speed trans. I took my MSF course early 2019 and put about 1200 miles on it. It’s far from comfortable for me but the memories I get of my uncle when I’m riding it make the pain a bit more bearable. I’ve found I really enjoy riding as a great stress release for me so I’ve been looking at another bike with a better fit for me. I like a vintage look-wire spoke wheels, chrome or polished low exhaust and a UJM flat seat look like a 1970’s era bike-but wanted something more modern with better handling and braking. I’d been looking at recent Triumph Bonneville’s and was getting ready to make an appointment to test ride one when I stumbled across a Ducati GT1000. This was part of their Sport Classic series and it really resonated with me. The sound of a Ducati 90* V twin is pretty powerful to me as well. The one that initially caught my eye sold before I could see it but I found another not too far from me and went to see it. One viewing and a test ride and I was hooked. A few days later the bike was mine and in my garage. I really like this machine which is my first Italian vehicle.
I used to ride daily to work to save gas and pleasure ride. I gave up my street bikes because where I live it was getting out of control with distracted drivers and I had a family to take care of. I lost many friends to careless accidents that were not their fault, so I gave it up. I still ride dirt bikes with my sons and enjoy it very much.
I miss my bikes and they were like my cars, high performance and rare. Every bike I owned was heavily modified with lightweight wheels, better brakes and suspension, motor upgrades and lots of carbon fiber, titanium and magnesium. My Ducati was the best bike I ever owned and pure joy to ride down a windy road.
Be safe out there and here is a few of my old bikes. My old race bike is now in Australia competing in vintage races mopping up the competition. My Ducati I sold to a collector here in the northeast.
This is my story too. Rode every day from 1998 to about 2015. Parked my last bike deep in the garage and haven’t ridden it since. I competed in long distance events and rode all over this great land but I just got to the point where I couldn’t justify the risk in my head anymore.
There’s no doubt the sheer amount of vehicles on the road today compared to 30 years ago is huge, and now with cell phones, texting, and very large SUVs has definitely changed the calculus. It can seem like the video game Frogger out there.
I’ve seen guys die on motorcycles, went with a friend to buy the engine from a guy that put him in a wheelchair, and visited friends in the hospital. Had a woman u-turn from the shoulder into my path and I sailed right over her rear quarters and trunk.
And I still ride. Difference is, it’s maybe 5 times a year. And my head is on a swivel with two fingers covering the brake. Not quite like I remember it…
I’ll let it go eventually, but as Aragorn said in front of the Black Gates, “It is not that day”.
Guess I should have added the obligatory photos. Current bike and then one of my favorites that I’ve owned over the years and wish I still had. The FJR is an '06 and the /7 was a '78
I have had a street bike off and on, since probably 86. I finally got the Suzuki I lusted after when it was a new body style, (in 86) while I was in Africa, in 2010. It’s getting crowded here in Colorado too, along the front range, but I’m not ready to give it up yet. I keep thinking about getting a Harley, but haven’t seen anything really “better” than what I have. Honestly, other than having a small fuel range and only a 4 speed, I would never give this bike up. It fits me well.
