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Code of the RoadIn the sport of motorcycling there are unwritten pieces of knowledge passed from rider to rider. In the Code of the Road, Hawk Hagebak shares these pieces of knowledge for you to read at your leisure. Hawk will answer your questions, share some experiences and provide you with motorcycling travel tips that will compliment your already extensive knowledge of the coolest form of transportation in the world. June 2008Polygamy among motorcyclists? A few weeks ago, I was asked by a potential convert to motorcycling, "What's the best bike for me?" With gas prices so high, I'm sure he was ready to hear about MPG of various machines, but I spoke first of the "attractiveness" of the motorcycle. I explained that each make and model has it's own style, form, shape and feel. Just like with people, there are many different kinds and not one is "right" for everyone. If you're looking for a sprightly waif of a motorcycle, try a Vespa or Honda Metropolitan. If you enjoy the look and feel of an East European heavy lifter, try the BMW Adventure R1200GS with metal saddlebags. I described the general choices inbetween (cruiser, sport bikes, touring, sport touring, etc). Once he was locked into that philosophy, he asked, "So, motorcycles are like women?" I replied that in many ways they are. That's not to say that women are like motorcycles! I'm glad for that. A motorcycle has never shared a glass of wine with me nor refreshed my spirit like time well-spent with my wife, daughters or mother. To me, motorcycles are like women, but to be perfectly clear, women are not like motorcycles, ok? I still remember the day I met my first bike. "Suzi" was a maroon, 1979 Suzuki GS550L with a silver Vetter fairing and throttle lock. If "Suzi" were a human, she'd have been the slightly awkward, freckled, girl next door growing into a woman type. She wasn't much to look at, oh sure, she was cute, but my attraction to her was her ability to have fun at the drop of a hat. What a ride. We spent lots of time together and went everywhere the road could take us. I loved that bike so much that I sold my old Jeep and became a full time motorcyclist, no four wheeler in my garage (well, apartment parking space at the time). "Suzi" and I enjoyed many years together. Then she changed. Instead of being reliable and trustworthy, she became tired and disinterested. On more than one occasion in the rain, she left me standing on the side of the road trying to coax her back to the road. We could see that a break-up was inevitable. One of "Suzi's" last trips with me was a ride to the local Honda dealership where I looked at the latest models. I had settled on buying a new, 1993 Honda Goldwing, but "Suzi" had to go first. The last thing I bought for "Suzi" was a FOR SALE sign. On a warm Friday evening, she unceremoniously left me for a younger man in exchange for $550 dollars. I would see "Suzi" from time to time and I would wave, not at the rider (who would eagerly wave back) but to "Suzi". She looked good, and something in my soul ached to have her back. But what would "Raven" think? "Raven" was the name given to my black, 1993 Honda Goldwing. She came with all the bells and whistles, a AM/FM stereo cassette, cruise control, adjustable windshield, she even had cup holders! Like "Suzi" before her, I associated "Raven" with the female form as well. "Raven" was the Aunt Bea of motorcycling. She was and is efficient, reliable and can accept any assignment without complaint. However, apart from a couple of curves, she is not physically attractive, but one had an undeniable connection to her once you met. She was good for the long haul. Yes sir, "Raven" saw me through more human relationships than I care to admit and over the years we danced the asphalt tango for more than 150,000 miles. Raven has been in all lower 48 states with me. She's a stout beauty, no sporty looks, but could be counted on for anything at anytime. "Raven" rests in my garage between book and magazine assignments. Sometimes we'll ride just to see what has changed in the road. "Raven" is a workhorse and loyal to the core. Until that other bike moved in.... A few months ago, my friend Pete was sent to Iraq and asked me for help in maintaining his Suzuki GSXR 750. "Sure, no problem," I replied. I mean, it's the least I can do, selflessly dedicating my time and energy to ride a 2007 Suzuki sportbike for a brave young soldier. I parked the adolescent and sporty machine near the matronly "Raven" without a thought of jealousy. I mean really, why would "Raven" care, it's just like having a visiting niece. Surely "Raven" knows that I'm not interested in the little sportbike? I mean really, she's not even my type! Something inside my psyche told me that "Raven" is not threatened at all by the little sportbike. Sure she's cute, but clearly to all who know me, not my kind of bike. Lisa (my wife, not a
motorcycle) has been asking me for two years to go buy another motorcycle.
What a great problem to have. I'm sure there are a lot of riders out there
that would love to have a spouse (wife or husband) that insisted that you
buy a new motorcycle. We've been able to afford it for awhile, everything is
paid off and the last of our older daughters is about to finish college,
leaving weddings as our only major expense on the horizon. Lisa and I have
talked for several years about what kind of motorcycle we would like to
have, if we could pick any in the world. In each discussion, we focus
on sport touring bikes. Aunt Bea be damned, we've grown tired of having only
one kind of bike in the garage. But which make and model; Honda ST1300,
Kawasaki Concourse (aka Connie), Yamaha FJR, BMW R1200 RT, others??
The choices seemed endless. I remember looking at the new BMW R1200 RT a
couple of years ago at the Honda Hoot in Knoxville. My first impression was
"Man, this is one ugly bike!" Contrasted against the soft, flowing curves of
the R1150 RT, the R 1200RT had sharp points and violent angles. To be sure,
our friends in Munich have built a more powerful engine, and increased
performance a bit, but I just didn't like the look of the new one. So, when
the time came, I went to the local BMW dealership and bought a blue, 2002
BMW R1150RT. The previous owner had lots of motorcycles and had only logged
3,600 miles on the bike, and took great pains to keep the bike immaculate.
The bike is perfect, not a scratch, ding, speck of rust, not a single fault.
I got her for a song, too. Lisa was thrilled, we had our new girl and the
night I brought her home from the dealership, Lisa and I took a short ride.
"Heidi" has gotten lots of attention and is parked just inside the garage, in case I need to make a quick leap on and ride. "Raven" remains parked deep in the garage, I'd have to move "Heidi" just to get her out. "Raven" once shared garage space with "Brenda" my co-worker, a Harley-Davidson FLHTP police edition Road King. I never felt a pang of concern for "Raven" when I would ride off with "Brenda" because, "Hey babe, it's just work." I don't feel so magnanimous when I abandon loyal old "Raven" for yet another ride on "Heidi". Maybe I need to more associate them like daughters? I sincerely tell my four daughters, "I love you all the same amount, for different reasons and in different ways." Maybe I need to take the soul out of the machine. Could I think of my motorcycles as just a blend of metal, plastic, chrome, oil, gas and other fluids? Logically, I'm there, I have no real delusions that my motorcycles think or have emotions, but I think that I'm not alone in thinking of motorcycles as beings. Have you ever talked to your bike? I bet you have. How do polygamists do it? I don't know how I'm going to cope with the emotions pulling from this bike to that, but I sure hope they don't argue and try to push each other down! One thing is for sure, it's a nice problem to have. Until next month, Ride with
Pride! ~Hawk
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