Posted by Knud on August 23, 1999 at 18:12:47:
In Reply to: Is Motorcycling in your blood? posted by Frank on August 21, 1999 at 02:09:51:
My interest for motorcycling started when i was a teenager. When i was 18 i got a driverlicens (18 is minimum-age in Denmark) for car and bike. My parents didn't allow me to buy a motorcycle - to keep me from that they bought me a scooter (Lambretta). I then had to use my friends MC - much more fun. After 2 years i sold my scooter - and couldn't afford to buy a bike. For several years i (almost) forgot everything about my dream. There was no time for it (family, career and so on....). Cars became my interest (more legal with a family). I ended up with a brand-new Alfa Romeo 155 2.0 (2 sparks pr. cylinder and so on...). Then the kids moved away for studying. My wife and i moved to the city. One car was enough - my wifes (i can walk to my work in 7 minutes - and my wife only use her car max. twice pr. week). Then i started to be more interested in bikes - i had the money (Savage in Denmark: approx. 8.000 $). I had the driver-licens (price in Denmark approx. 1.500 $). I didn't know anybody having a bike though. So i took a lesson by a driver-teacher (for free!! - nice guy) - on a Savage (i knew he had one). The feeling was there right away - the teacher also could see it. I studied the Savage (also in this forum - THANK YOU). I thought (and think) it is a real bike (Big Single, belt, nice look and so on). And cheap (you might not think so - but relatively it is, here in Denmark). I got it in march. At first i had too much adrenalin in my blood (i had to "kiss the road") - but nothing real bad happened with me (or the Savage). Now, where i have about 4.000 km on the meter, i'm enjoying every minute. We have had much nice weather (that's not allways the case). So i feel very lucky and happy about driving. I've also got new friends (with bikes). The Savage is perfect for me. Though i'm more then 6 feet (could be i buy forwarded control, though). The limited speed is fine (i have speed in my blood - and that's dangerous). I used to run 200 km/h on the german highways (i really feel lucky that nothing "happened"). My Savage can accelerate better then most cars anyway. I have no problems with her - only joy! Every day i look for an opportunity to ride. I have bought a windshield, which i'm not using (!). I also bought some saddlebags. A nice lid for the brake-cylinder (completely useless - but very beautiful). The other day i shifted oil (and filter) -and i'm sure i will keeping up nursing her in other matters too.
Is motorcycling in my blood then? I think it is - and always have been. I only wonder why i didn't do it years ago (i'm 52). Must have something to do with family-responsibility (other priorities, also some that other make for you). My wife accept it - as well as i also accept things from her, without directly approving it.
Certainly a dream came through. Almost every guy i talk to about motorcycling say, they also have the dream but ...and but...
Thx again for all you interesting questions, answers, viewpoints, stories...The subject is without limits, i think. So keep on, please. And
- happy riding!
Knud