| Author | Message | ||
     Danger_dave |
I got a fantastic offer to write the editorial column for Kiwi Rider this afternoon. 300 words on paper already - it's about not being a brand snob and tarring all riders with one brush because of what they ride. My question to you Buellers is: Given the chair of your favourite magazine for the day - what issue/s would you address? | ||
| Court |
Riding a motorcycle solely to recapture the wonderment I felt as a kid the first time I saw a motorcycle. | ||
| Danger_dave |
good shot. Just thinking back - I can't remember anything much of my first bike except burning myself on it. I was just a toddler. | ||
| Irideabuell |
I get 4 bike mags. Cycle World, Rider, Motorcyclist and the AMA's American Motorcyclist. My only dig, as they all have their positives, is that the bike critiques tend to be the on the same bikes in 3 of the 4 each month (AMA's rag being the only exception). I doubt there is a remedy, but it drives me nuts to read the same basic information three times in the same month. | ||
| Danger_dave |
Harley has a press fleet - BMW has a press fleet - Honda Suzuki etc - we all get turns at them and then don't want the other publications to get an advantage. | ||
| Bombardier |
The mindless dickheads who ride like the wind with no gear on and then whinge like the bitches they are when they fall off and expect the taxpayer to fix their sorry asses. •••• em and feed em to the fish I say. The sooner we bring in regulations to enforce the wearing of approved safety gear the better off we will all be. ATGATT!!!! | ||
| Thumper74 |
No matter how bad my day is... it always turns out better on two wheels | ||
| Court |
My first memory was the older high school kid at the end of Amherst Street. He had this old Harley-Davidson and about all I recall is that the seat resembled lots of pictures I'd seen of Elvis Presely and it seemed like being a mile high in the air when he sat me atop it. I didn't ride it and was never taken for a ride . . . there was just something about the way it seemed everybody standing there envied the guy. . . there was an electricity in the air and I wanted some of it. Years later it was Mike Dutton, the "rich kid" up the street. His Dentist father bought him and MGB and a BSA 441 Victor. I kinda remember the Victor but the cheerleaders who'd come to his house, fawn over him and drape themselves over the BSA seemed to coincide nicely with what my hormones were doing at the time. The entire series of events did to me what the food pellet did to Pavlov's dog. (Pavlov. . that name ring a bell?  ) A couple years later Wally Kilker started taking me for rides on his Cushman 711 Highlander. I was a kid and would stand on the floorboard, my sis would sit on the passenger seat and Perky, the collie, would ride in a bicycle basket welded to the rear frame. It was on the first lap of Collins Park that my life changed. I now had the ability to go, with the wind in my face, from where I was to wherever I wanted to go. It was a couple years later when I was dispatched on my first solo. If being taken for a ride was electricity the voltage had just been dialed up. I guess we all got burnt and learned some lessons . . it seems a common experience. Mine was the first time I was invited to "take it for a spin" on a Honda Scrambler CL77 (yes, I al lusting over the one on e-Bay today for $77,000) and no sooner had I pulled out of the parking lot with no helmet, wearing cut-off jeans that I slid on sand and the bike, those gorgeous upswept exhausts, were laying firmly on my leg. Motorcycles are funny. Even the "bad" memories evoke a good feeling. Motorcyclists, as diverse as we are, all share a common gift of seeing the world through the wonder-glasses. Yeah . . . I want to read that column. | ||
| Jerry_haughton |
Dave, given the chance to wax poetic in Kiwi Rider, i think i'd endeavor to focus on a "positive" aspect of our sport, such as "riding a motorcycle solely to recapture the wonderment I felt as a kid the first time I saw a motorcycle," as Court so nicely puts it above. for me (and for many/most of us, i suspect), what still turns me on after 40+ years on two wheels is simply heading out on the bike and getting lost, just following the front wheel and discovering what's around the bend. this passion is strong enough that i recently moved clear across the United States, just to have new territory to explore. i'll look at the map before i go and pick a general destination, but often that'll be the last time the map gets used that day, and if i don't quite reach the "target" that day, due to unexpected moto-treasures unearthed along the way, well, that's all part of the charm. seeds for another trip, as JB2 would say. i've admired your writing and photography many times in the past, in large part because you have the ability to convey not just the "mechanics" of our sport, but also the "wonder," as well. good on ya, and congratulations. Ferris (Message edited by jerry_haughton on February 25, 2008) | ||
| Danger_dave |
(Pavlov. . that name ring a bell? : ) ) Now there's a mouth watering pun. | ||
| Bill0351 |
They always have the 10 best issues, or the best bike of the year issue, or best gear issue. I want them to have the 10 worst issue. It also seems like the opinions in the reviews range from GREAT to OUTSTANDING! If they have a comparison test, it almost always ends up in a nearly perfect tie of "two outstanding motorcycles that will appeal to a slightly different buyer." I am willing to bet that there have been many times the test riders leave the track or come in from a long street ride and say WTF? THIS BIKE SUCKS! Then, by the time it makes it to print, it magically ends up as a near tie with the better bike just a hair better than #2. I would trust their opinions more if they weren't all so similar. I guess when a manufacture is paying top dollar to have a double-page-inside-cover spread, they don't want to see their stuff trashed on pages 70-75. Bill | ||
| Danger_dave |
yes - good points on the wonder aspect - I will sleep on all that. I was given a slight brief to write to a photograph of myself and our stunt man casually chatting about a bike and what had changed for me. The wonder is still the same though... nice. | ||
| Danger_dave |
>>I want them to have the 10 worst issue. << I've had that discussion with my best pal. He said - 'you never diss anything' I said 'what is to diss?' Show me the Mach 3 hinges or the lucas electricals. Modern motorcycles are fabulous machines. I try and identify the purpose and the individual that would be interested in the bike and tell them what I think they want to know. And I don't do comparos unless they are the same machine across time. For the reasons you list. | ||
| Danger_dave |
>>good on ya, and congratulations. << Cheers. | ||
| Jb2 |
Danger and Ferris, "One ride leads to another" or "Seeds for another trip" seems to be a part of every ride I take. I'm always passing something by that eventually leads to another trip. I have so many places to revisit to capture what I rode by the last time I was there that I probably should quit working and just spend the rest of my life sewing up the loose ends. JB2 | ||
| Spdkls |
do an article from a 4 points of view/perspective. the (buell)rider on a short journey through traffic to a shop or mall or restaurant a motorcar driver who has been following him most of the way trying to figure out what he's riding the guy on a cruiser who was passed by both bike and car(he was out with his friends on a ride) a couple of people at the traffic stop/bus stop. as they look on at the bike, cruiser group waiting on the bus to come. just an idea! good luck | ||
| Thumper74 |
That's a good idea, a literaty POV | ||
| Xbduck |
O.K. I know a lot of you probably already understand this yet as a still fairly new to the street rider,('03 was the start for me) I would like to see a 'How To' on taking say camping trips on a bike. The kind of thing that takes you through the nuts and bolts of it. What racks work well, how to pack a bike, what gear you will really need and what gear is good to have along. A lot of mags will tell you how great the latest new toy is yet nobody tells you how to be safe putting it all together. You could maybe put it out as 'How To do Two Wheel Tours on the Cheap' or 'Pack Safe and Ride Worry Free'. Maybe ask readers for their input as to what gear they use and how it works for them. Also include the things that should be serious no-no's as to where you are putting your gear. If by chance you do, drop me a line on how to get Kiwi Rider so I can see it. Yes, I know there are books on it I just have personal issues getting through books. A magazine article would be much easier. | ||
| Danger_dave |
hmmmm. Owed to Joy. Beethoven’s ninth symphony is often referred to as the ‘Ode to Joy’. The ode itself was written in 1875 by German poet Friedrich Schiller and the words were widely popularised when it was included as a part for four vocalists in the Beethoven’s Ninth Symphony. It was subsequently condensed and re-written as a popular Hymn that has little resemblance to the original text - except for the unmistakable tune. Like the Ode, this page has had a few significant changes to the wording, but it’s still sung to the same melody. The Ed asked me to step into the esteemed Last Word chair and pen some thoughts pertinent to the above pic of Stretch and I. The brief suggested we note how we have changed since we’ve been involved with the magazine. My first thoughts were that I should make an ‘Ode style’ call for a bit more ‘love and understanding’ between sections of the motorcycle fraternity and how riding all the different bikes had changed my perspectives. I wanted to sprout off about not dissing scooter riders or tarring Harley riders all with the same brush because they ‘don’t wave’. I had thoughts of addressing the issues of lost camaraderie. Then a note from a wise friend changed my focus. The ‘Joy’ part is what we should concentrate on. Do you remember the joy of your first motorcycle? Your first ride? The exhilaration of (in my case) three horsepower? The first wind in your face and the exultations of surviving the first corner you entered too hot? The thrill of those first big G forces. Joy. That’s why we ride. For some it’s hidden by a veneer of practicality and commuter sensibility while other’s Id may be a Stoner, Rossi or BT fantasy that has them emulating a hero. Underneath it all is the remnant of that first thrill and the joy of the ride. It all starts with that release of endorphins when you brain says ‘this is cool sh*t!’ and boy, doesn’t zooming on a fine bike release them! When we’re off the bike and addressing the issues that confront us as motorcyclists, bad drivers, crappy conditions, unfair taxes - even the inclement weather , it makes you wonder why any of us would ride. Underneath it all is joy. (Insert Benny Hill Pun here). At age eight I had a Deckson 125. It had 8” wheels, centrifugal clutch and a 4-stroke lawn mower engine. (I was sophisticated back then too – no 2-stroke Victa engines for Davey-boy). My Grandfather bought me mini bikes much to my mother’s chagrin and I was as proud of them then as I am of my motorcycles today. When I was eight ‘Lunz’ was my hero. He was 6’7”, an athlete, rode an 850 Commando and was a mate of my next door neighbour’s older brother. I used to park my mini-bike on the grass and sit and look at his magnificent Norton out front. One day he came out and asked ‘Your bike has no speedo – how do you know how fast you are going?’ I shrugged. ‘Well I’ll tell you what. You ride up Boronia Street here and I’ll ride beside you and tell you how fast you are going.’ So eight year old David on an unregistered mini bike, flat wrung out up Boronia St, and Hulk Hogan yelling 40, 45, 45mph at him from an Black and Gold Interstate, and laughing his head off. 40 years later that stamp-your-feet-giggling-like-a-kid joy is with me every time I recall that day. Now if I see a kid on a mini bike I talk to him about it - and note if it has a speedo. Working with Stretch and KR brings me close to some of that Joy too. To watch the maestro do his thing on hundreds of kgs of heavy metal makes me giggle inside just as much. So ponder it dear reader - there are whole lot of reasons why we ride. Then and focus on the fact that in this madcap world we ride in - it’s mostly owed to joy. (Message edited by danger_dave on February 26, 2008) | ||
| Danger_dave |
>>A magazine article would be much easier.<< Cheers - It's more a 'feature' topic than an editorial - we've just done one on bike security devices. I'll suggest it and if it comes about I'll post a .pdf. | ||
| Madduck |
Any/all motorcycle stories have a common theme. Its about the people you meet just because you are traveling by motorcycle. All of my trips are filled with encounters that would not have occured but for the motorcycle. I've stood atop a pass of Rocky Mountain NP in a blizzard, wondering what to do next and a NASA astronaut stops to "help". I've been trying to get a rattlesnake to "pose" next to a BMW LT and the caution snake sign when a group of Hells Angels stops to "help". So many times and adventures made much more memorable by the "intervention" of passing strangers, all of whom were attracted by the presence of the motorcycle. Not much interesting ever happens on my car trips through the same general area. | ||
| Jphish |
DangerDave - Hmmm, a question of significance. I would surmise a high degree of variability on what & why people ride. (If thats where your going with this ?) While I certainly have my own biases,(own a KLR650, ST1300, Vulcan 1500 classic FI & recently a 08 Uly from cityxslicker) I care less about the "what" - they all serve different purposes & I love 'em all. The "why" is a more intriguing question. My riding buddy offers a modified zen explanation: You gotta be in the moment but not focused on any one thing. It allows awareness & appreciation of one's surroundings but not captured by it. It releases you from all the petty issues and worries of ones life while offering perspective & insight that may not be apparent... until after the ride. Life is like scratches in a face shield on a rainy night - the view gets distorted from our experiences...& the 10,000 headlights commin' at ya. The 'ride' offers clarity, adventure, self sufficiency, brother/sisterhood and shared experiences...and up to 55mpg! But more than all this, it restores our faith (however one defines that) & confirms whats good about the people and places we meet at all the crossroads we pass through. A friend tells of the ride @ 16 (about 40 years ago)from Yakima to Great Falls on a honda 50. When on a cold & rainy night (aint that how all stories begin?), he stopped a cop in Lewiston to ask where he could camp - he got taken to jail...with the door left open & breakfast in the morning, in the subdued company of 2 'night before' drunks. Upon continuance on his 10 day westward journey, (remember he could only squeeze out 30mph...down hill) he was surrounded by about 20 "bikers" who took him to a party, made sure he didnt get too 'crazy' & sent him on his way the next morning with 20 bucks for gas money & best wishes. It's our fears that keep us stuck - Motorcycle riding helps conquer them in a way nothing else will and keeps us open to whatever lies ahead. Best therapy out there for what ails ya. I have no idea what I'm talking about... but it's sure fun to pretend. | ||
| Danger_dave |
>>(If thats where your going with this ?)<< Like your angle - but I rarely know where I'm going with anything. Same reason I'll never get a GPS - I much prefer to head in a direction and see what happens. I'm pretty comfortable with what I posted. There is a degree of writing to the readership and also the brief in it - with a snappy punchline. | ||
| Danger_dave |
Detailed response from the Ed: "Just what I wanted!" Thank you Court, thank you linesmen, thank you badweb. | ||
| Xbduck |
Danger_dave, I just wanted you to know that I was sorry about attempting to drive this thread off topic. Yet I thought that I was answering your, "Given the chair of your favourite magazine for the day - what issue/s would you address?" As far as waxing nostalgic all I have is a great deep love for a starburst orange CB 750 Honda my brother rode in the 70's. Well, now that I think about it there are other moments. As far as I can remember the only ribbing my brother's friends gave each other was over who's bike broke, when and how. There was also something about some having issues falling off parked bikes. I believe I was to young to understand the details at that time. | ||
| Danger_dave |
nah nah nah. all good man - just an enjoyable dribble-on. all contributions welcome. (Message edited by danger_dave on February 26, 2008) |
